Ranasthalam Flyover Set to Open Within Six Months

For years motorists have been stuck at the chaotic Ranasthalam junction, a key choke‑point on the busy NH‑16 corridor that links Chennai with Kolkata. Now, after a series of intense meetings between the Srikakulam District Collector, Swapnil Dinakar Pundkar, and officials from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the construction pace has picked up dramatically.

The flyover, which will stretch roughly 1.5 km, is being built at a cost of around ₹250 crore. When it finally ribbons, the smooth ribbon of concrete will carry traffic over the narrow, congested stretch that currently forces drivers into endless queues, especially during peak hours.

Local representatives, including Etcherla MLA N. Eswara Rao, recently toured the site and urged the NHAI to fast‑track the work. Their concerns were not unfounded: the junction’s limited width has turned a simple transit point into a daily headache for commuters and traders alike.

Historically, the project hit several roadblocks. For nearly five years, strong objections from local shopkeepers and farmers delayed any progress, even though the authority had already upgraded the surrounding stretch to a six‑lane highway from Ichchapuram to Pydibhimavaram. Land‑acquisition disputes and fears of losing livelihood stalled the flyover’s start.

Things began to turn around when traders on both sides of the road started backing the development, recognising that an elevated corridor could actually revive commerce by clearing the bottleneck. With the backing of public representatives, the NHAI shifted to an “elevated model” design that allows pedestrian movement underneath, ensuring that foot traffic isn’t sacrificed.

According to MLA Eswara Rao, almost two lakh residents in and around Ranasthalam stand to benefit from the new structure. "Once the flyover is up, commuting between Srikakulam and Visakhapatnam will be a breeze," he said, adding that the project is on track for a six‑month completion window.

So, if you’re planning a road trip along the east coast later this year, you might just find the Ranasthalam bottleneck a thing of the past – a testament to what coordinated effort between local leaders and central agencies can achieve.