Seven master plan roads gain pace ahead of Bhogapuram airport launch

Visakhapatnam: Seven master plan roads are being developed across Visakhapatnam to connect suburban areas with two national highways (the Anandapuram–Anakapalli highway and the highway passing through the city) with the objective of improving connectivity to the upcoming Bhogapuram international airport. Although these roads are not a permanent solution for ensuring high-speed access to the airport, they will provide crucial links between currently unserved areas and the main arterial roads. When TOI visited the project sites on Saturday, it was evident that the work has gained momentum. In stretches where approvals from departments such as the forest authorities are still pending, construction has commenced on the available portions. Earlier, the primary impediment was securing consent from landowners, as the projects are being executed on a consent-based model rather than through compulsory acquisition. Obtaining the consent from private parties involves a five-step process. For example, in the case of the Boyapalem–Kapuluppada road, consent is still pending from three landowners. While approximately 60% of the construction work has been completed, about 95% of the required consent and right of way have been secured. Similarly, on the Vepagunta–Pinagadi stretch, nearly 100 of the 150 affected property owners have submitted their consent. This road is divided into two segments — 3.2 km being executed by VMRDA and 3.92 km by GVMC — and has achieved around 20% progress. The nearly 8-km Adavivaram–Sontyam road, which serves as a key link connecting the Gajuwaka–NAD–Gopalapatnam–Simhachalam corridor to the Anandapuram highway via the BRTS road, has recorded 35% progress. The proposed 100-foot-wide road is designed to accommodate three lanes on each side upon completion. Vehicles from Gajuwaka can take a diversion onto the national highway passing through Visakhapatnam, access the BRTS road at NAD Junction, and use this master plan road to reach the Anandapuram highway. Similarly, the Thallavalasa and Kothavalasa stretches have achieved approximately 40% progress. While long-term solutions such as a double rotary metro rail project with flyovers or the proposed coastal corridor from Visakhapatnam to Bhogapuram airport are expected to provide permanent relief, these master plan roads will offer alternative routes to help ease city traffic to some extent. For instance, commuters up to MVP Colony can take the BRTS road at Hanumanthawaka junction, connect to the Adavivaram master plan road, and proceed to the Anandapuram highway when traffic congestion becomes a concern. The only road work that is yet to be launched is the Bheemili–Dorathota junction stretch. VMRDA chairman Pranav Gopal said that the VMRDA is spending Rs 175 crore on its share of the road works. "A special cell has been set up to monitor the issuance of TDRs and the engineering progress of these projects. Nearly 50% of our daily efforts are focused on ensuring that these roads are ready before the inauguration of the Bhogapuram airport. At the same time, third-party quality checks and a project management consultant are overseeing the works to ensure high standards of execution," said Pranav. VMRDA metropolitan commissioner Tej Bharath said the authority is planning a similar initiative on the lines of the 29 lane-km record — the longest continuous stretch of bituminous concrete laid within 24 hours — achieved on the Vanavolu–Vankarakunta section of the six-lane Bengaluru–Kadapa–Vijayawada economic corridor. "By completing all works on the Boyapalem–Kapuluppada road by March 15, we are aiming to accomplish a similar feat. Wherever possible, we are pushing for the early completion of all seven master plan roads. A significant portion of our efforts is currently focused on these projects," said Tej Bharath. GFXSuburban links fast-trackedSeven master plan roads being developed to link suburban areas with two major national highwaysWorks progressing rapidly, with construction starting even on stretches awaiting forest department approvalsConsent-based land model remains challenging, though most required landowner permissions already securedBoyapalem–Kapuluppada road has 60% construction completed and 95% right-of-way approvals achievedAdavivaram–Sontyam 8-km stretch records 35% progress, planned as a 100-foot, six-lane corridorLong-term solutions like metro rail and coastal corridor envisioned, but current roads offer interim reliefVMRDA pushing for early completion, targeting record-style finish on Boyapalem–Kapuluppada by March 15The projects are being executed by multiple agencies, with VMRDA shouldering the major responsibility