Union Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, Guntur District Collector S Nagalakshmi and Guntur West MLA Galla Madhavi, along with other public representatives distributing cheques to the Brodipet ROB project victims at GMC on Monday.
| Photo Credit: T. VIJAY KUMAR
In a step towards reconstruction of the long-delayed Brodipet Rail Over Bridge (ROB) compensation cheques were distributed on Monday (April 21) to shop owners who agreed to part with their land for the project.
The cheques were handed over at an event organised at the Council Hall of the Guntur Municipal Corporation (GMC) office here. Union Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar handed over the compensation cheques. The shop owners will be given TDR bonds by the GMC for the loss of their land.
Speaking on the occasion, he emphasized the need for public cooperation and urged Opposition parties and intellectuals to extend their support to the municipal authorities and State government in completing the long-pending infrastructure project. He added that the Central government already sanctioned money for the project and works will begin within a couple of weeks.
“The existing bridge is in a dilapidated condition and cannot handle the growing traffic demands of Guntur city. This project is essential for the city’s development,” Dr. Pemmasani stated.
Reflecting on another similar project’s history in the city, he noted that the Nandivelugu ROB was sanctioned in 2014 and witnessed some progress till 2017. However, the subsequent YSRCP government pushed the project into cold storage. “Only after the new alliance government came to power, this crucial Brodipet project was revived,” he said, calling the ROB a “symbol of how long infrastructure works can take to materialize in the absence of political will.”
The Minister also addressed public concerns and alleged misinformation being spread by certain groups regarding the prioritization of an RUB (Rail Under Bridge) before the ROB. He clarified that constructing deep pits for RUB pillars first would compromise the structural safety of the ROB, making sequential construction technically unfeasible.
“We’ve taken their suggestions seriously, even engaging with them multiple times. But what they propose resembles a flyover more than a proper rail overbridge,” he added. “There seems to be a deliberate attempt to stall this project, but this bridge will not stop for anyone.”
The new bridge was once proposed to be for 430 metres, but will now extend over 900 metres and is being designed to serve the city’s needs for the next 50 years, with a wider 90-metre span to improve traffic flow. “This is a project for the people. Once it is completed, everyone will see its utility. Let’s not oppose something that benefits the public at large,” Dr. Pemmasani appealed.
The event was attended by MLAs Mohammad Naseer Ahmad, Galla Madhavi, and B. Ramanjaneyulu, along with District Collector S. Nagalakshmi, Municipal Commissioner Puli Srinivasulu, In-charge Mayor Shaik Sajila, and Jana Sena Guntur District president Gade Venkateswara Rao, among others.
Published – April 21, 2025 04:10 pm IST
