Vijayawada: The proposal to widen the riverbank road in capital city area seems to be hanging in the balance following the decision of the water resources dept against constructing a retaining wall along the riverbank road on the banks of Krishna river. Amaravati Development Corporation Limited (ADCL) wanted to build a concrete retaining wall along the riverbank to protect the capital city area from Krishna floods.
ADCL came out with the proposal after the recent floods in Krishna, which was triggered when outflows from Krishna river near Prakasam barrage crossed 15 lakh cusecs. However, the water resources dept has suggested ADCL to take up the retaining wall on the other side of the river, which would be within the capital city side.
Officials believe the concrete retaining wall will create obstruction to the natural course of the river. The water resources dept, which is readying designs for the proposed widening of the existing riverbank road, is believed to have decided to increase the bund height by another 3-4 metres. However, ADCL is of the view that increasing the bund height would require a retaining wall. Alternately, ADCL is also planning to widen the bund further to make its base stronger.
In that case, ADCL may have to go for land acquisition which would result in additional financial burden. It wants to complete the first phase of the four-lane riverbank road for about 9 km from Manipal hospital near Tadepalli, which would connect the NH with the capital city. The existing riverbank road has a width of just 9 metres (30 ft) and would be inadequate the manage traffic flow to the capital city from Vijayawada side. With chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s residence is also located on the riverbank road, VIP and official vehicle movement have increased multifold since the TDP-led NDA govt came to power in the state about eight months ago. Sources said municipal administration minister P Narayana is likely to discuss with water resources, CRDA, and ADCL authorities to resolve the issue.
