NHAI Shelves Vijayawada Elevated Corridor Project? Changes Likely to Metro Designs

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is reportedly considering shelving the 7-km-long elevated corridor between Mahanadu Junction and Nidamanuru on NH-16 in Vijayawada.

While NHAI officials have not given any official reason for shelving the project, it is learned that the completion of the Vijayawada West Bypass could be one of the factors.

The corridor, proposed between Mahanadu Junction and Nidamanuru, was designed to ease traffic congestion along the airport corridor stretch on NH-16 and had already received NHAI’s approval.

It was expected to help motorists bypass heavy traffic at Ramavarpadu and Enikepadu junctions, as well as near the new Government General Hospital (GGH) in Nidamanuru.

NHAI officials have stated that the issue is currently under consideration at the authority’s headquarters.

A senior NHAI official said they are yet to receive any formal communication regarding the project’s shelving.

Meanwhile, once the Vijayawada West Bypass becomes operational, traffic on the NH-16 stretch is expected to be diverted, enabling smoother flow and potentially eliminating the need for a flyover along the existing route.

If the elevated corridor project is shelved, it may also lead to revisions in the Vijayawada Metro project designs.

Phase 1A of the Metro project, covering the PNBS–Gannavaram corridor and spanning 25.9 km, is planned along NH-16.

A 4.4-km double-decker flyover between Ramavarpadu and Nidamanuru was jointly proposed by NHAI and the AP Metro Rail Corporation Limited.