New links to cut travel time, hand over 216 MLA/MLC quarters
AMARAVATI / Vijayawada: Two new steel bridges and the second phase of the Seed Access Road will be opened on Thursday, August 13, strengthening direct road connectivity between Amaravati and Vijayawada as well as Mangalagiri, Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister P. Narayana said on Wednesday.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu will inaugurate the two bridges and the Seed Access Road project and hand over completed quarters for legislators during his visit, Mr. Narayana said after returning from a trip to London where he held discussions with architects and consultants on the capital's infrastructure and iconic buildings.
- Bridges: Two steel bridges — one of 110 metres across the Buckingham Canal and another of 280 metres spanning the Kondaveeti Vagu and the Guntur Channel — will be thrown open.
- Road: The second phase of the Seed Access Road will be inaugurated, completing a key link in the Amaravati Seed Axis.
- Housing: 216 quarters for MLAs and MLCs in nine towers at Nelapadu will be handed over; the housing project covers 10.46 acres with a built-up area of 10.84 lakh sq. ft.
Officials said the bridges and road are intended to provide direct road links from the capital region to neighbouring urban centres, notably Vijayawada and Mangalagiri. A specially designed pylon will be installed near one of the bridges to welcome visitors to Amaravati.
"Concluded my London visit after engaging with leading architects, consultants and representatives of reputed global firms on the design and development of Amaravati's iconic buildings and infrastructure. Upon returning to Vijayawada, I inspected the Amaravati Seed Axis Road and…" — Ponguru Narayana (tweet excerpt)
Project specifications and local impact
The two steel bridges reported for opening are sited to cross key waterways that have historically limited direct road movements into the heart of the capital region. One bridge of 110 metres crosses the Buckingham Canal; the longer bridge of 280 metres spans the Kondaveeti Vagu and the Guntur Channel.
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Bridge 1 | 110 metres — Buckingham Canal |
| Bridge 2 | 280 metres — Kondaveeti Vagu & Guntur Channel |
| MLA/MLC housing | 216 quarters; 9 towers; 10.46 acres; 10.84 lakh sq. ft. built-up |
For residents of Vijayawada and surrounding areas, the new links are expected to change travel patterns by providing more direct routes into Amaravati, potentially easing congestion on existing approaches. The pylon and the Seed Axis enhancements are aimed at improving visitor access and the visual identity of the capital region.
What officials say and next steps
Mr. Narayana, who visited London to consult with architects and global firms on Amaravati’s design, inspected arrangements for Thursday’s inauguration and related programmes on Wednesday. The opening is part of a broader effort by the State government to advance infrastructure in the capital region and to showcase completed elements of the Amaravati plan.
The government will inaugurate the Seed Access Road’s second phase and hand over the MLA/MLC housing at Nelapadu during the Chief Minister’s visit. Further details on traffic management, access points and timelines for additional phases were not provided in the briefing released on Wednesday.
Residents and commuters should expect changes to traffic flow on the inauguration day, and motorists are advised to note official signage and announcements for access routes to Amaravati. Local authorities will issue specific traffic advisories closer to the event.
