Vijayawada: Following the measures taken by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) in slowing down vehicle speed on NH-16 between Benz Circle and Varadhi junction proved ineffective, the demand for construction of a foot overbridge (FOB) at Netaji Bridge Circle on the NH-16 has gained momentum. Residents are urging the authorities to construct a FOB on a war footing until the construction of a permanent subway.The city traffic police authorities removed all the speed bumps, except one, on the NH-16 stretch leading to traffic jams. On Wednesday night, vehicles on the Benz Circle to Varadhi stretch were blocked in a traffic gridlock and it took nearly 30 minutes for vehicles to cross the stretch due to the slow-moving traffic.“Now that the speed breakers are removed, hit-and-run threat looms large again on pedestrians crossing the national highway. We believe that constructing a FOB would solve the problem for people living in Ranigarothota, Balaji Nagar, and neighbouring areas,” Ramaniah, a resident of Ranigarithota, said.Another resident, Srinivasulu, an auto rickshaw driver, says: “Residents during afternoon times often cross the highway to reach Anna canteen situated on the highway road to eat their meals. There have been instances of people getting killed after being hit by lorries and other heavy vehicles while crossing the road. Last year, a tailor from Ranigarithota was mowed down by a lorry while crossing the road after he finished his meal at Anna canteen and was returning to his workplace.“Meanwhile, Vijayawada MP Kesineni Sivanath (Chinni) submitted a representation to Nitin Gadkari during the ongoing Parliament session to sanction subways at St Ann’s Hospital area and near Veterinary Hospital road. This would enable and provide a direct and safe route for the residents of Krishna Lanka, Ranigarithota, and Balaji Nagar to reach MG Road and other parts of the city without trouble.
