Seed Access Road set to unlock Amaravati's next growth phase

Amaravati: Amaravati is set to achieve a major infrastructure and logistical upgrade shortly with Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expected to inaugurate the landmark Steel Bridge on August 13, followed by the formal opening of the long-awaited Amaravati’s lifeline Seed Access Road on August 15.

The twin projects will complete the capital city's primary access corridor, providing seamless connectivity from Vijayawada, and Guntur to Amaravati and removing one of the biggest obstacles that has slowed the capital's growth over the past several years.

Their inauguration will signal the completion of Amaravati's missing transport link, an infrastructure project expected to transform connectivity, boost investment, speed up construction activity, and strengthen the capital's role as Andhra Pradesh's administrative and economic centre.

Conceived under the Amaravati Master Plan, the 21-km Seed Access Road was designed as the capital's principal arterial corridor linking Vijayawada directly with the Secretariat, Assembly, High Court, government offices, educational institutions, residential townships, and commercial districts.

While the first 18.33-km stretch up to Venkatapalem was completed in 2018, the remaining 3.9-km section connecting Undavalli remained stalled for years because of land disputes, legal challenges, and pending bridge construction.

After assuming office, the Naidu government revived the project, resolved most pending land issues, and accelerated construction. Most of the required land had already been secured through the Amaravati Land Pooling Scheme, while the remaining parcels were acquired through legal procedures, clearing the final hurdles to completion.

A defining feature of the project is the Steel Bridge across the Krishna Delta Canal, Buckingham Canal and Kondaveeti Vagu near Undavalli. The bridge is expected to become the new gateway to Amaravati. The new corridor will dramatically reduce travel time between Vijayawada and the capital.

At present, commuters depend largely on the narrow Karakatta road, where congestion and traffic restrictions during VIP movements frequently cause delays. The Seed Access Road provides a wider, faster, and uninterrupted alternative, ensuring smooth access to the capital's administrative institutions while meeting future traffic requirements.

The project is also expected to become the principal logistics corridor for Amaravati. Faster movement of construction materials, heavy equipment, and essential supplies is likely to accelerate work on government complexes, residential townships, commercial centres, and other infrastructure projects across the capital region.

Officials have also integrated the corridor with the West Bypass and the National Highway network, while plans are progressing for an elevated corridor from Undavalli to Manipal Hospital, creating a comprehensive transport network that will support Amaravati's long-term expansion.