The Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) has taken a significant step towards enhancing regional connectivity by sanctioning a substantial sum for a crucial infrastructure blueprint. In its latest authority meeting, VMRDA approved ₹4.84 crore to hire a professional consultancy firm. Their task is to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for a proposed 90-kilometre-long, access-controlled, greenfield semi ring road.
Project Scope and Strategic Alignment
This ambitious corridor is designed to connect Rambilli in Anakapalli district to Bhogapuram in Vizianagaram district. The road will run west of the existing national highway, offering an alternative route. The starting point at Rambilli is notable for an under-development naval alternate operating base. The route will then traverse through areas including Kothavalasa before culminating at Bhogapuram, the site of the upcoming new international airport.
The project's importance was underscored earlier when it was reviewed in detail at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu in Visakhapatnam. Following this high-level review, the responsibility for preparing the project's blueprint was formally entrusted to VMRDA.
Phased Development and Future-Proof Design
VMRDA Chairperson Pranav Gopal outlined the strategic vision for the corridor. The initial phase proposes the development of a four-lane carriageway. However, foresight is being built into the plan. If future traffic projections justify it, the alignment can be expanded. The entire right of way will be acquired upfront to potentially accommodate up to an eight-lane main carriageway in the future, alongside service roads.
"In inhabited areas, service roads with a minimum width of 10 metres will be provided, while maintaining strict access control on the main highway," Gopal explained. He added that connectivity to towns, cities, and establishments along the existing national highway will be ensured through spur roads from this new alignment.
Addressing Congestion and Fueling Economic Growth
The semi ring road has been a persistent demand from public representatives of the erstwhile combined Visakhapatnam district, a response to ever-increasing traffic volumes. While the road will not pass directly through Visakhapatnam city, it is expected to serve as a vital alternative for commuters on the Rambilli-Bhogapuram stretch. This is anticipated to significantly reduce congestion and travel time on existing routes.
Beyond easing traffic, the project is poised to be a catalyst for economic development. It will particularly benefit areas around Bhogapuram, enhancing connectivity to the new international airport and stimulating growth along the corridor. To finance this large-scale project, the state government is considering an innovative Value Capture Finance (VCF) model. This approach aims to reduce dependence on conventional budgets and loans, encourage private sector participation, and generate long-term revenue through corridor development, promoting a self-sustaining infrastructure framework.
