Guntur: The Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) is set to launch the third phase of Inner Ring Road (IRR) construction in Guntur city at an estimated cost of 50 crore. With the Guntur Municipal Corporation (GMC) clearing encroachments along the 4.5-km stretch, CRDA is now preparing to invite tenders for the road development.The final phase of IRR, stalled for nearly 20 years, aims to ease traffic congestion by allowing heavy vehicles from Palnadu district to access National Highway-65 without entering the city. Initially conceptualized in 2005 by the Vijayawada-Guntur-Tenali-Mangalagiri Urban Development Authority (VGTM UDA) — CRDA’s predecessor — the IRR was designed to connect Perecharla (western Guntur) with NH-65 (eastern Guntur near Autonagar) through an 11-km four-lane highway.Due to land acquisition challenges, the project was executed in phases, with only 7 km completed over the past two decades. Despite multiple government transitions, the final phase remained incomplete.Following the TDP-led NDA assuming power, Union minister Pemmasani Chandrasekhar took the initiative to push CRDA authorities to complete the IRR, addressing Guntur’s growing traffic woes. Dr. Pemmasani also secured four Railway Over Bridge (ROB) projects, including one linked to the IRR, from the Union highways and road transport ministry. With the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) now preparing to begin ROB work, CRDA is keen to accelerate the final phase of IRR development.“We have cleared encroachments and distributed TDR bonds to affected property owners. The road markings are complete, and now it’s over to CRDA to proceed with development,” said GMC commissioner Puli Srinivasulu.
