Vizag’s Kancharapalem flyover left to rot, citizens allege negligence

Visakhapatnam: A head of every major international event hosted in Visakhapatnam, the city roads, flyovers and junctions undergo a striking transformation with fresh greenery, vibrant coat of paint and renewed infrastructure.

However, once the event gets concluded, maintenance of these beautification projects takes a back seat, drawing sharp criticism from citizens over the alleged misuse of public funds.

Rammurthi Pantulupeta-Kancharapalem flyover, one of the oldest flyovers in Visakhapatnam, has now become a glaring example of the utter neglect.

During the tenure of former Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation Commissioner CM Saikanth Varma, extensive efforts were undertaken to conceal the city’s major drainages with decorative plants and mini landscaping.

The Kancharapalem flyover was among the prominently beautified stretches under the initiative. Yet, as months passed, the once vibrant plants dried up due to lack of watering and proper maintenance. Residents allege that authorities failed to ensure regular maintenance, leaving the structure in a deteriorated condition. When global summits and high-profile events are hosted in the city, crores of rupees are once again spent on beautification drives.

Officials are reportedly replacing old plants with new saplings, relaying footpaths, repainting structures and changing tiles in an attempt to restore the city’s appearance before the arrival of dignitaries and delegates.

Ironically, many of the tiles previously laid on the Kancharapalem flyover have already been damaged, while the vertical greenery structure dired up for months.

Locals point out that despite the poor condition of the flyover, authorities focused only on routes frequently used by VIPs — particularly the national highway stretch connecting Visakhapatnam Airport, the railway station, and luxury 5-star hotels accommodating visiting delegates.

Motorists and residents demand immediate attention to the Kancharapalem flyover, urging authorities to extend beautification and maintenance efforts beyond VIP corridors and ensure long-term upkeep of public infrastructure across the city.