Vijayawada Commuters Stuck as Mahanadu-Nidamanaru Flyover Remains Incomplete
Daily commuters along Vijayawada’s NH-16 corridor continue to face mounting traffic congestion due to prolonged delays in the construction of the much-anticipated Mahanadu Junction to Nidamanaru double-decker flyover. Originally planned to combine metro and road infrastructure, the 6-kilometre project remains stalled, with no timeline in place for commencement. The unfinished corridor has turned critical junctions into bottlenecks, severely affecting travel times, especially for airport-bound commuters and those en route to Visakhapatnam and Hyderabad.
The delayed flyover project, proposed as a joint initiative by the state’s metro agency and national road authorities, was envisioned as a cost-effective solution to ease congestion along the NH-16 corridor. The 4.7-kilometre double-decker structure, integrating the metro rail and a four-lane road flyover, was to start at Ramavarappadu Ring and end at Nidamanaru, spanning major choke points like Mahanadu Junction and Enikepadu. Authorities aimed to use this dual-purpose elevated corridor to streamline vehicular movement while enhancing mass rapid transit access. The corridor is also a crucial airport access route. Despite the pressing need, progress has stagnated as the Detailed Project Report (DPR) is still being finalised by the appointed transit agency. Experts suggest that without the DPR approval, ground-level construction is unlikely to commence soon, leaving commuters, especially during peak hours, to navigate dense snarls and increasing travel delays along this busy arterial road.
With both the metro and flyover infrastructure interlinked, execution has been significantly delayed pending final approvals and joint coordination between transit and highway authorities. Officials indicate that project initiation is now fully dependent on the completion of the DPR by the metro rail corporation. Until this is finalised, the highway authority cannot begin flyover works, as the design integration of metro pillars and road decks must be synchronised for shared space efficiency. The ongoing uncertainty continues to frustrate commuters who rely on this corridor daily. Long tailbacks at Ramavarappadu Ring and Mahanadu Junction have become routine, especially during school, office, and airport rush hours. Local businesses and daily wage earners have also reported productivity losses due to extended travel times. Urban planners warn that any further bureaucratic delays could compromise both public convenience and infrastructure cost-efficiency, urging expedited decision-making and clearer timelines to break the current impasse.
Vijayawada’s NH-16 corridor, a lifeline for intra-city and inter-city mobility, remains plagued by prolonged infrastructural inaction. The delay in initiating the double-decker flyover has disrupted not only daily commuting but also regional connectivity with Visakhapatnam and Hyderabad. Authorities must prioritise the pending DPR and ensure swift coordination to launch this vital project. With traffic bottlenecks growing and public frustration mounting, the need for timely and transparent infrastructure delivery has never been more urgent. Strategic transport projects like this flyover are essential for a growing city like Vijayawada and cannot be allowed to languish due to administrative lag.
