Vijayawada-Hyderabad NH stretch faces urgent need for upgrades
ROADS & HIGHWAYS

Vijayawada-Hyderabad NH stretch faces urgent need for upgrades

The Vijayawada-Hyderabad National Highway (NH-65), one of the busiest routes in India, is plagued by design flaws that make travel hazardous. Known for its sharp curves and slopes, the highway is highly accident-prone. Recent flooding has exacerbated the problem, with several sections of the highway submerged and traffic nearly brought to a halt over the past few days.

NH-65, which connects Hyderabad to Vijayawada and serves as a crucial link to Kolkata and Chennai, has suffered from what critics call the National Highway Authority of India?s (NHAI) "unscientific approach" to construction. Despite detailed maps of local streams and flood flows provided by district administrations, the designs reportedly prioritised budget constraints over practical concerns.

In 2009, floods severely damaged a section near the Kesara bridge in Nandigama constituency. While NHAI has since strengthened and reconstructed parts of the highway, crucial bridges were not built where streams cross. Former minister Vasantha Nageswara Rao highlighted the need for an additional bridge near Aithavaram, citing persistent local requests that have not been addressed due to litigation between the NH contractor and the Centre.

The highway often experiences traffic stoppages during heavy rains, particularly near Kodad, Jaggaiahpet, and Nandigama, where flash floods disrupt vehicular movement. The Centre has recently approved plans to widen NH-65 from four to six lanes and adjust certain alignments to improve safety. However, TDP leader Jagadeesh has called for these upgrades to also address flooding issues.

R&B Minister BC Janardhan Reddy has pledged to discuss these concerns with NHAI authorities to ensure that the highway's redesign addresses both accident prevention and flood management.

(ET)

The Vijayawada-Hyderabad National Highway (NH-65), one of the busiest routes in India, is plagued by design flaws that make travel hazardous. Known for its sharp curves and slopes, the highway is highly accident-prone. Recent flooding has exacerbated the problem, with several sections of the highway submerged and traffic nearly brought to a halt over the past few days. NH-65, which connects Hyderabad to Vijayawada and serves as a crucial link to Kolkata and Chennai, has suffered from what critics call the National Highway Authority of India?s (NHAI) unscientific approach to construction. Despite detailed maps of local streams and flood flows provided by district administrations, the designs reportedly prioritised budget constraints over practical concerns. In 2009, floods severely damaged a section near the Kesara bridge in Nandigama constituency. While NHAI has since strengthened and reconstructed parts of the highway, crucial bridges were not built where streams cross. Former minister Vasantha Nageswara Rao highlighted the need for an additional bridge near Aithavaram, citing persistent local requests that have not been addressed due to litigation between the NH contractor and the Centre. The highway often experiences traffic stoppages during heavy rains, particularly near Kodad, Jaggaiahpet, and Nandigama, where flash floods disrupt vehicular movement. The Centre has recently approved plans to widen NH-65 from four to six lanes and adjust certain alignments to improve safety. However, TDP leader Jagadeesh has called for these upgrades to also address flooding issues. R&B Minister BC Janardhan Reddy has pledged to discuss these concerns with NHAI authorities to ensure that the highway's redesign addresses both accident prevention and flood management. (ET)

Next Story
Resources

Ajmera Realty launches tree drive on Environment Day

Ajmera Realty & Infra India marked World Environment Day with a large-scale tree plantation initiative—Plant-with-Purpose—across its projects in Mumbai and Bangalore. The drive was inaugurated at Ajmera Manhattan and Ajmera Greenfinity in Wadala, with senior company officials and residents in attendance. The campaign encourages residents to embrace eco-conscious, self-reliant lifestyles by growing useful plants and trees within their communities. Horticulture expert Devendra Bhekar guided residents on creating and maintaining green spaces. Ajmera Realty planted over 500 trees..

Next Story
Resources

Twaron®-reinforced tyre powers Brunel’s solar race car

Teijin Aramid’s Twaron® with circular content will debut in Bridgestone’s race tyres for the 2025 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, supporting the Brunel Solar Team’s Nuna 13 car. This marks the first use of the recycled-content aramid in a high-performance race tyre. The Twaron®-reinforced belts help enhance durability, reduce rolling resistance, and maintain lightweight strength—critical for the 3,000-km solar race across Australia. Bridgestone combines this with ENLITENTM tech and other recycled inputs to maximise environmental and performance outcomes. Teijin Aramid, a..

Next Story
Building Material

Kamdhenu Paints launches new wood coating range

Kamdhenu Paints has launched a comprehensive premium wood coating range designed for both interior and exterior applications. The collection includes high-performance solutions like Kamwood 2K PU for a rich matt or high-gloss finish, Kamwood 1K PU for clarity and stain protection, and the Kamwood Melamyne system for a smooth, durable finish. Also featured are Kamwood Wood Stains, which enhance wood grains with vibrant colour, and NC Sanding Sealer for high-build grain filling. The range is supported by Kamwood Thinners for ease of application and optimal finish. Saurabh Agarwal, MD, ..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?