NHAI yet to finalise bids for subway at Netaji flyover in Vijayawada

Vijayawada: The construction of the subway (underpass) at the Netaji Flyover, connecting Ranigarithota and MG Road, by the NHAI, which already floated tenders, appears to be a case of "two steps forward and three steps back," as the works that were expected to be grounded are still stuck at the tendering stage, leading to an inordinate delay in the project. The subway is crucial as the stretch, particularly from Varadhi to Benz Circle on NH-16, is a major black spot in the city.It could be mentioned here that NHAI already floated tenders for construction of the subway at the Netaji Flyover on NH-16. The project is estimated to cost approximately Rs 3 crore and will be executed using NHAI funds, with a target to complete the subway construction in six months from the date of work awarded to the contracting agency. However, even two months after floating the tenders for the subway construction, the tenders are yet to be finalised."Two bids were received for the subway tender and currently the technical evaluation is underway at the NHAI regional office. The technical evaluation is expected to take another week, after which the letter of acceptance (LOA) will be awarded to the successful bidder, following which the construction works would be grounded immediately," NHAI Vijayawada project implementation unit (PIU) Vidyasagar told TOI.Earlier, the NHAI wanted to ground the subway construction works by March end with a target to complete the subway within six months.The new subway will be 50 metres long and 2.5 metres in height and 5 metres in width, designed to provide seamless connectivity for motorists and pedestrians from Ranigarithota and Balaji Nagar areas to easily access MG Road without crossing the NH-16 road. —Inordinate Tender Delay Construction of the subway at Netaji Flyover, connecting Ranigarithota and MG Road, remains delayed despite NHAI floating tenders nearly two months ago The subway project, estimated at around Rs 3 crore, is to be funded by NHAI and planned for completion within six months of awarding the work Although two bids were received, technical evaluation is still underway at the NHAI regional office, delaying issuance of the letter of acceptance The subway is critical as the Varadhi–Benz Circle stretch on NH-16 is identified as a major accident-prone black spot in Vijayawada The 50-metre-long subway will enable safer and easier access for motorists and pedestrians to MG Road without crossing NH-16