In recent developments, residents of Visakhapatnam have intensified their advocacy for critical infrastructure improvements to address escalating traffic congestion in the city. On March 13, 2025, members of the Visakhapatnam Apartment Residents Welfare Association (VARWA), led by General Secretary B.B. Ganesh, staged a dharna at the bustling Hanumanthawaka Junction. Their primary demands include the immediate construction of a flyover connecting Hanumanthawaka to Maddilapalem and the development of a subway at Maddilapalem Junction.

Visakhapatnam, often referred to as Vizag, has experienced significant population growth, surpassing 2 million residents. The city serves as a hub for tourism, medical services, education, and commercial activities, attracting visitors from North Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh. This influx has led to increased vehicular traffic, particularly at critical junctions like Hanumanthawaka and Maddilapalem, resulting in frequent traffic jams and commuter hardships.

Specific Concerns:

• Hanumanthawaka Junction: Recognized as a crucial gateway to the city, this junction experiences significant congestion, causing delays and inconvenience for daily commuters.

  Future Projections: With the upcoming international airport at Bhogapuram, residents anticipate a further increase in traffic volume, exacerbating the existing congestion issues.

Demands and Recommendations:

1. Flyover Construction: Residents are advocating for the immediate construction of a flyover from Hanumanthawaka to Maddilapalem to ensure smoother traffic flow and reduce congestion. They emphasize that this project should be treated as a separate initiative from the proposed metro rail network to avoid potential delays.

   Subway Development: The construction of a subway at Maddilapalem Junction is proposed to facilitate pedestrian movement and minimize vehicular interruptions, thereby enhancing overall traffic efficiency.

2. Additional Infrastructure Improvements: Residents are also calling for the development of footpaths, service roads, and parking facilities across the city. They highlight the need for clearly marked speed breakers to enhance road safety.

Community Involvement:

The protests and demands have garnered support from various residential colony associations, reflecting a unified community effort to address the pressing traffic issues. Representatives from VARWA and the Federation of Colony Associations (NIVAS) have actively participated in these advocacy efforts, urging the public to support their cause.

Official Response:

As of now, there has been no official statement from municipal or state authorities regarding the proposed infrastructure projects. Residents remain hopeful that their collective efforts will prompt timely action to alleviate the traffic challenges in Visakhapatnam.