VISAKHAPATNAM: The much-anticipated flyover connecting Asilmetta junction and Dondaparthy junctions in Visakhapatnam is still miles away from its completion. The 1.6-km flyover connecting the main artery road of Visakhapatnam was underway in 2008. However, acquisition of land and untimely allocation of funds ensured that the work progressed at a snail's pace over the last four years. According to the GVMC engineers, over 70% of the work concerning the Rs 89 crore JNNURM project has been completed and the structure would be ready by February 2013.

The main reasons behind the delay goes to the acquisition of railway land and acquisition of private owned land via transferable development rights (TDR), variations in the plans concerning the structure (the flyover was extended by half a kilometer and the proposed ramp was dispensed with) and the delay in allocation of funds. 50% of the project cost is being borne by the Centre while 20% of the funds are from the state coffers and the rest being borne by GVMC. The chief engineer of GVMC claimed that most of the above hiccups have been sorted out, but noted that those who disagree with the TDR concept are yet to let go of their property without being compensated in cash and are at loggerheads with the corporation.

The GVMC engineers pointed out that prime property owners along the major junctions of Asilmetta and Dondaparthy area are yet to accept the TDR certificates, while the railway problem seems to have been sorted out more or less, what with the municipality allocating over 48 acres of land for the 24 acres they acquired from the railways. However, compensation for structures and property of the railways is yet to be finalized and await the approval.

However, many private property owners believe that the TDR idea would not work as they could only sell these rights to a builder, who would buy the rights only if the real value is under-quoted. They claimed that it was only fair that their compensations be paid in cash and as per the current market value of the property. GVMC chief engineer Jairam Reddy said, "Many of the people losing property for the service roads and the flyover are yet to take to the concept of TDR."

According to sources, over 28 TDRs are yet to be handed over for acquisition, while the recipients, some of who are to be convinced have moved to the courts demanding cash compensation. But, the chief engineer sounded confident of the acquisition process being completed in time and pointed out that the flyover would be completed in six months or less and would be the first amongst the major infrastructure projects being taken up in GVMC, stressing on the aspect that TDR method of acquisition, which is the norm in metros like Mumbai would soon catch up in Vizag too.