CM Chandrababu Naidu, who obstructed the bypass construction crucial for the development of Amaravati and Vijayawada for those five years, is now forced to inaugurate the same highway. The previous YSRCP government completed the bypass construction, addressing the traffic woes of Vijayawada’s residents. Moreover, YS Jagan worked with sincerity for Vijayawada’s development during his tenure. Flyover constructions, Krishna River retaining wall, bypasses, and development was put on a fast track. Between 2014-19, Chandrababu, limited to graphic stories, couldn’t tolerate YS Jagan’s development efforts and obstructed them at every step. As soon as the coalition government came to power, they targeted the bypass under the pretext of the Amaravati ring road, halting it citing planning issues. Ten months later, they are now staging dramas claiming a green signal for the same bypass.
Funds for land acquisition during YSRCP rule
Chandrababu, caught up in the greed for contracts and commissions, neglected Vijayawada’s development. Between 2014-19, his government shelved the Amaravati highway construction and even obstructed land acquisition. It was only after the YSRCP government came to power that these works found redemption. Funds for land acquisition were allocated during YS Jagan’s government.
YS Jagan’s special initiative
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) had, in principle, agreed during the previous YSRCP government to the proposal of constructing a 49.51-kilometer stretch from Pottipadu in Krishna district to Kaza in Guntur district. This was expected to resolve traffic issues on the Chennai- Kolkata National Highway in Vijayawada. Then-CM YS Jaganmohan Reddy held special discussions with Union Surface Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on this matter. Proposals for three routes were prepared for the East Bypass, with a preference for the 49.51 km road. A Detailed Project Report (DPR) was prepared, with 27.71 km in Krishna district and 19.80 km in Guntur district, including a 3.7 km bridge over the Krishna River. The process faced delays due to the election frenzy and notifications, and the coalition government stalled it upon coming to power.
Union Minister Gadkari praised YS Jagan’s efforts
Nitin Gadkari, the then Union Minister, specially appreciated YS Jagan’s efforts in securing funds for development. He hailed YS Jagan as a dynamic leader with strong determination and recognized his ability to execute works with dignity. These remarks were made during a meeting between then-CM Jagan and Gadkari on highway construction.
Chandrababu sacrificed multiple benefits
With the Hyderabad-Kolkata and Chennai-Kolkata national highways passing through Vijayawada, traffic issues have been worsening for decades. The previous Chandrababu government, instead of finding immediate solutions, resorted to graphic illusions. As soon as the YSRCP government came to power in 2019, it focused on Vijayawada’s traffic problems. It undertook the Western Bypass works for vehicles heading to Hyderabad, completing them swiftly from Chinna Avutapalli to Gollapudi in Krishna district. It also initiated road works from Gollapudi towards the Guntur district. Additionally, it planned the East Bypass from Chinna Avutapalli, recognizing that traffic issues would worsen with heavy vehicles once the Bandar port construction is completed in the future. A DPR was prepared for the East Bypass, but the coalition government obstructed it.
Vijayawada’s development happened under YSRCP rule
- To address the traffic woes faced by Vijayawada residents for years, twin flyovers were constructed during the YSRCP regime. The Jengi Circle-1 flyover, with 48 spans and a width of 1.470 meters (including the approach road), stretches 2.27 km and was built at a cost of Rs. 80 crore.
- The second flyover was completed within a year, spanning 1.703 km with 55 spans and a width of 12.5 meters, costing Rs. 96 crore.
- Land acquisition issues hindering the Benz Circle flyover’s west and east side service roads were resolved. A 2.47 km service road on the west side was built at Rs. 25 crore, and the pending 860-meter service road on the east side was initiated under YSRCP rule.
- Drainage works spanning 6 km from Benz Circle to Poranki were undertaken at Rs. 15 crore. Foundations were laid for flyovers at Gunnavaram and Ramavarappadu Ring Road.
- A half flyover at Gannavaram airport was constructed at Rs. 23.77 crore. Land acquisition obstructing the Hyderabad highway was completed, and pending works were taken up at Rs. 17 crore.
- Steps were taken for land acquisition for the Greenfield Highway (Vijayawada-Khammam) and to complete pending works on the Kanaka Durga flyover.
- To prevent traffic issues for vehicles entering the city, West and East bypass constructions were initiated. The Vijayawada West Bypass, a six-lane 30 km road from Chinna Avutapalli to Gollapudi, was started in February 2021 at Rs. 1148 crore and is nearly complete.
- Road works spanning 17.88 km from Gollapudi to Chinakakani and an iconic bridge over the Krishna River were expedited. The East Bypass construction was nearly completed.
- Proposals were drafted for a 49.3 km stretch from Pottipadu in Krishna district to Kaza in Guntur district, including a 3.750 km iconic bridge over the Krishna River, at an estimated cost of Rs. 4607.80 crore.
- Development works worth Rs. 216 crore were initiated by then-CM YS Jagan at Indrakeeladri, with Rs. 23.14 crore worth of completed works inaugurated.
Relief from flooding
YS Jagan provided relief to Krishna riverbank residents who had faced flooding issues for decades. Retaining walls works from Kanaka Durga Varadhi to Koti Nagar were completed at Rs. 394.27 crore across three phases (Rs. 93.22 crore, Rs. 180.24 crore, and Rs. 120.81 crore). Beautification works worth Rs. 33.39 crore were undertaken in two phases along the retaining wall, including greenery, parks, and walking and cycling tracks. Seven bridges over canals were built at Rs. 31 crore.
125-foot Ambedkar statue
During YS Jagan’s tenure, the prestigious Ambedkar Smriti Vanam was built at Vijayawada’s Swarajya Maidan. A 125-foot grand Ambedkar statue, costing around Rs. 400 crore, was erected to attract global tourists. The Chief Minister dedicated it to the nation on January 19.
Vijayawada residents now recall the efforts of YS Jagan’s previous government for the city’s development.
