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.