Four-lane road sought to cut travel time between Vizianagaram and Palakonda

The distance between Vizianagaram and Palakonda via Nellimarla, Cheepurupalli and Rajam is hardly 72 km, but it takes at least three-and-a-half hours to traverse the stretch in the absence of a four-lane road. The existing two-lane road is unable to handle the traffic flow of the important constituencies of Vizianagaram and Palakonda in Parvatipuram-Manyam district.

In view of the increased traffic on the route, the government had earlier proposed the development of a four-lane road at an estimated cost of ₹567 crore under the Public-Private Partnership mode. However, private companies and contractors have not come forward due to the lack of commercial viability. At present, lorries and other heavy vehicles prefer to use NH-16 to reach Palakonda via Chilakapalem in Srikakulam district, citing congestion on the Vizianagaram–Rajam–Palakonda road.

Rajam MLA Kondru Muralimohan said the project would become commercially viable once a four-lane road is built, as heavy vehicles would then ply on the route. He said the road would benefit nearly 15 lakh people across five constituencies and added that he would bring the issue to the notice of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. Expressing hope, he said the Chief Minister would accept the proposal to improve connectivity for Rajam and surrounding areas.

Nellimarla MLA Lokam Madhavi said the proposed road would also benefit air travellers by enabling quicker access to the Bhogapuram international airport. Vizianagaram Chamber of Commerce president Kapuganti Srinivas said the Vizianagaram–Palakonda stretch was poised for significant development in the near future. He pointed out that new markets could be developed along the route, as the existing P. W. market in Vizianagaram was congested, having been constructed nearly 100 years ago. Balaji Textile Market president Buddepu Venkata Rao and general secretary Nirmal Kumar Pokarna said improved road access would boost business activity in the textile and other sectors by enhancing connectivity between Vizianagaram, other parts of North Andhra and Odisha.