Vijayawada: In a major road infrastructure initiative in Amaravati, the state govt is considering the construction of an iconic 320-metre-long cable bridge as part of the third phase of the Seed Access Road project.This project will be a part of the 3.5 km road that will extend from Prakasam Barrage to Manipal Hospital, ultimately linking the Seed Access Road with the Chennai-Kolkata NH-16.It is worth mentioning that the previous TDP govt completed the two phases of the Seed Access Road project, while the third phase hit a roadblock after farmers in Undavalli village opposed to give their agricultural land for the construction of the third and final phase of the project. This phase would link the crucial road in the capital region directly with NH-16.With the TDP-led coalition govt back at the helm and works in Amaravati gaining pace, the CRDA authorities reinitiated discussions with farmers. “While some farmers have come forward to give their lands, a few are still reluctant, which is leading to the prolonged delay in the completion of the Seed Access Road. Authorities are actively holding discussions with those farmers who are reluctant to give their lands under the land pooling scheme.The CRDA authorities are exploring all possible options, such as providing fair and better compensation under the land pooling scheme to the reluctant farmers, and taking the requisite lands to complete the road construction at the earliest,” a source from CRDA told TOI.It was learnt that the govt will lay approximately 3.5 km of road at a cost of Rs 593.03 crore from Prakasam Barrage to Manipal Hospital. The proposed road will pass through the Old Madras Road, wherein the govt is planning to construct a 320-metre-long cable bridge, for which it is estimated that 48 acres of land would be required.According to the information, the Amaravati Development Corporation Limited will float tenders for the construction of the road with a two-year deadline. It is further said that three ramps would be developed, including a 232-metre ramp from Amaravati to Vijayawada side and another 280-metre ramp from Guntur to Amaravati side at the Seed Access Road and National Highway link junction.
