Residents of Visakhapatnam, under the leadership of various residential colony associations, have intensified their advocacy for critical infrastructure developments 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. 

Context and Rationale:

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. 

Key Demands:

1. Flyover Construction: Residents advocate for a flyover from Hanumanthawaka to Maddilapalem to streamline traffic flow and reduce congestion. They emphasize that this project should be independent of the proposed metro rail project to avoid delays. 

   Subway Development: A subway at Maddilapalem Junction is proposed to facilitate smoother pedestrian and vehicular movement, enhancing overall traffic management. 

   Additional Infrastructure: The associations also call for the construction of footpaths, service roads, and designated parking areas across the city. They stress the importance of marking speed breakers to improve road safety. 

Impending Challenges:

The forthcoming international airport at Bhogapuram is anticipated to further escalate traffic volumes. Without timely infrastructure enhancements, the existing congestion issues are expected to worsen, underscoring the urgency of the residents' demands. 

Community Mobilization:

The protest witnessed active participation from members of VARWA and the Federation of Colony Associations (NIVAS). Leaders like B.B. Ganesh and N. Prakash Rao have been at the forefront, rallying community support and appealing to the public to back their initiatives. Their efforts aim to prompt swift action from governmental authorities to address these pressing infrastructure needs.