Residents in Vijayawada's Singh Nagar and surrounding neighborhoods are grappling with severe daily commuting challenges. The Ajith Singh Nagar flyover has reached its saturation point, causing immense frustration among locals. With the construction of a proposed alternate flyover running parallel to the existing one still in the planning stages, people face prolonged traffic woes.
Peak Hour Traffic Standstills
Traffic grinds to a complete halt during morning hours until 11 am and again in the evenings until about 8 pm daily. These peak periods transform the flyover into a virtual parking lot. Vehicles entering from the Alluri Sitarama Raju statue and Dhaba Kotla centre side create a chock-a-block situation. Crossing the bridge during these times becomes an uphill battle for commuters.
Local Resident Experiences
Venkatesh, a resident of Ramakrishna Puram for over twenty years, uses the flyover every day. He highlights how the lack of lane discipline among motorists exacerbates the problem. Rash driving and mobile phone use while operating vehicles lead to frequent accidents near the Dhaba Kotla junction. The chaotic conditions make simple commutes dangerous and time-consuming.
Uncertainty Over Alternate Flyover
Another resident, Srinivas Murthulu, expresses concern about the delayed alternate flyover project. Although authorities sanctioned the construction of a parallel bridge, no clear timeline exists for its commencement or completion. This uncertainty leaves residents without visible solutions to the escalating traffic menace in this part of Vijayawada.
Garbage Vehicles Compound Problems
Local residents point to additional hazards caused by municipal garbage vehicles. These trucks collect waste from households and establishments, transporting it to the garbage transfer station at Singh Nagar. Their frequent trips across the already congested bridge contribute significantly to accidents.
Waste spillage from these vehicles creates slippery conditions on the bridge surface. Motorists often skid and fall off their vehicles or collide with oncoming traffic while trying to navigate around the debris. Hundreds of garbage vehicles make numerous daily trips, worsening the congestion and safety risks.
Residents' Plea to Administration
Frustrated citizens are urging the administration to explore immediate remedies. They specifically request relocation of the garbage transfer station from their locality to reduce vehicle traffic on the bridge. Until substantial infrastructure improvements materialize, residents continue enduring hazardous and lengthy commutes through one of Vijayawada's most congested corridors.
