Drive on VSEZ bridge a nightmare for motorists

One of the gaps formed by worn-out rubber expansion joints on the VSEZ bridge, which provides direct access to Visakhapatnam Special Economic Zone on the other side of the Visakhapatnam-Vijayawada railway near Duvvada in Visakhapatnam.
| Photo Credit: V. RAJU

Driving on the VSEZ bridge is a nightmare for motorists. The gaps left by worn-out rubber expansion joints between the concrete slabs of the bridge deck have become a gutter of sorts, and with their vehicle tyres falling into these gaps with a thud every time they take the bridge, commuters are an irritated lot.

Built over the Visakhapatnam–Vijayawada railway mainline, the bridge provides direct connectivity from the Kurmannapalem-side of the city to the Visakhapatnam Special Economic Zone (VSEZ) and also to the housing colonies on the other side of the track.

One arm was built by the railways to connect the VSEZ bridge from the south side (platform-4 side) of Duvvada railway station to provide easy access to passengers alighting and boarding trains from the platform.

Speaking to The Hindu, the driver of a mini transport vehicle, which pulled over near the pedestrian walkway on the bridge, highlighted the danger posed by the gaps. “Tyres of our vehicles are getting damaged, and there is a threat of accidents, too, as unfamiliar motorists may not be able to see the gaps, particularly at night,” he says, wondering when the bridge will be repaired.

Metal sheets jutting out of a gap between two concrete slabs on the VSEZ bridge.
| Photo Credit:
V. RAJU

At a few places on the bridge, metal bars, too, were seen jutting out of the rubber joints, posing a risk to motorists.

Wrong parking of vehicles on either side of the road before the entry to the bridge is another issue. Moreover, city buses halting just before the entrance of the bridge to drop off or pick up passengers is sometimes causing traffic disruptions.

Pending repair

A year ago (on December 26, 2023), Road and Buildings (R&B) engineers inspected 15 expansion joints of the VSEZ bridge and prepared a repair estimate of ₹6 lakh. A contractor was chosen, but he failed to start the work, leading to the work order’s cancellation, according to sources.

A few motorists had died in accidents on this road over the years. On November 17, Vasireddy Rama Rao, an Agent of The Hindu, died in a road accident near the VSEZ flyover junction.

He was declared “brain dead” after two days of treatment failed to revive him. His family members donated his vital organs, giving a new lease of life to four patients, who were on the wait list of Jeevandan to receive organs.