Visakhapatnam: Over the past decade, traffic in Visakhapatnam has significantly slowed, posing challenges for commuters, especially motorists. With a population of 22 lakh and 13.8 lakh vehicles on the roads, congestion has become a daily struggle. The influx of tourists and their vehicles, particularly during holidays, exacerbates the situation. Additionally, visits by VIPs, including ministers, often lead to severe traffic disruptions.

Recent events such as public meetings attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu brought the city’s traffic to a near standstill.

"Traffic signals along National Highway 16, especially between Kommadi and NAD Junction, are major bottlenecks," said Professor D. Mukunda Rao, head of the civil engineering department at a private university and a member of the State Road Safety Council. Prof. Rao suggested that synchronizing the four signals from Maddilapalem to the Fourth Town Police Station junction could ease vehicle movement.

The issue arises because two vendors, L&T and CMC, manage two signal points each with incompatible configurations, preventing synchronization. However, the signals at Kommadi, Carshed, and Cricket Stadium junctions, all managed by L&T, can potentially be synchronized.

Prof. Rao further noted that traffic flows at an average speed of 55 kmph between Thatichetlapalem and NAD Junction due to the absence of signal points along this stretch. However, between Maddilapalem and Venkojipalem junction, peak-hour speeds drop to as low as 20 kmph, making it the slowest section in the city.