Date:30/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/30/stories/2008103050670200.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Vijayawada

Vizag-based firm clinches bid for Inner Ring Road

Staff Reporter

Work likely to begin by next month-end

UDA decides to execute the project in two packages
Centre to bear 50 per cent of the project cost

VIJAYAWADA: The Vijayawada Guntur Tenali Mangalagiri – Urban Development Authority (VGTM-UDA) has selected Visakhapatnam-based Siddhartha Constructions as the successful bidder for laying Inner Ring Road (IRR) in the city. While city-based V. Venkateswara Rao, another bidder, quoted one per cent less than the upset price fixed by the UDA, the successful bidder quoted six per cent less to walk away with the contract.

The UDA has sent a proposal to the State government requesting it to issue work order in favour of the successful bidder.

And, it appears that the IRR works are likely to be executed by the end of November.

The project is scheduled to be completed in two years. The project is estimated to cost Rs. 74.24 crores, including the cost of two Road-over- Bridges (RoBs).

The proposed IRR would begin at Nainavaram flyover at milk factory and end at Ramavarappadu Junction on NH-5.

As it would cross the railway lines at Gunadala and Ramavarappadu, two RoBs would be constructed for the uninterrupted flow of traffic. It would serve as a bypass for the traffic coming from Hyderabad on NH-9 and moving either towards Chennai or Kolkata on NH-5, and vice-versa, by obviating the need for vehicles to pass through the city. The IRR would pass through Ambapuram and Nuzvid road, before dividing Payakapuram and joining Ramavarappadu Ring Road.

The UDA has decided to execute the project in two packages to lay the 10-km road. While package-1, estimated to cost Rs.20 crores, will start at Nainavaram flyover and end at Nuzvid road, the remaining length of the road would be constructed in package-2. The Engineer-in-Chief has approved the estimates for the package-2, whose value stood at Rs. 14.5 crores. Tenders for package-2 would be called very soon, says UDA Vice-Chairman Y.S.B.S. Vittal.

The UDA proposes to develop the IRR with the funds available under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM). The Centre would fund the project to the tune of Rs.37.12 crores (50 per cent of the project cost), while the State government would contribute Rs.14.85 crores (20 per cent). The remaining Rs.22.27 crores (30 per cent) would have to be borne by the UDA.