Yanam bridge to alter coastal AP economy

C.R. Sukumar

YANAM (Pondicherry), Dec. 17

THE completion of a 1.8-kilometre bridge across the Gowthami branch of river Godavari between Yanam, the island town of Pondicherry, and Yedurulanka in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, is expected to change the economy of the coastal Andhra Pradesh.

The Rs 110-crore bridge, currently being constructed by Navayuga Engineering Company Ltd (NEC) on a build, operate and transfer (BOT) basis, is scheduled to be completed by September next year.

On completion, the bridge would reduce the road distance between Konaseema and its district headquarters Kakinada by about 70 km. The bridge is expected to spur the agri-business and industrial growth in the region.

Currently, the people of Konaseema area covering Yedurulanka, Muramalla, Polavaram, Mummidivaram, Pallamkurru and other villages up to Amalapuram of East Godavari district are crossing the Gowthami branch of river Godavari by ferry service from Yedurulanka in Konaseema to Yanam in Pondicherry territory and then proceed by road to reach Kakinada.

During the flood season, the transportation of the agri produce to the markets of Yanam and Kakinada and vis-a-vis gets badly affected.

According to the Yanam Regional Executive Officer and Deputy Collector (Revenue), Mr P. Gautham Reddy, Yanam is fast growing as an industrial hub. While several gas based industries are now coming up in and around Yanam, Kakinada port is fast developing.

Apart from two fertiliser manufacturing units, the major oil companies such as Hindustan Petroleum, Indian Oil Corporation and Bharat Petroleum Corporation have established their storage tankers and refilling stations in Kakinada.

The bridge construction on the Gowthami branch of river Godavari would be helpful for these industrial units for sending their products to Konaseema area, resulting in good amount of saving of fuel.

According to Mr Gautham Reddy, the bridge would also help in the development of two regions Yanam of Pondicherry State and Konaseema area of Andhra Pradesh. As the oil and gas exploration action of GAIL, ONGC and KAINS Energy in Godavari basin are in full swing, the Yanam bridge would facilitate their movements and transportation of their vehicles and also supply of natural gas to Yanam and other industrially developing centres in East Godavari district. Several raw materials, particularly those required for coir industries and edible oil units, can be easily transported from Konaseema to Yanam.

Though ferry service is currently available for crossing the Gowthami branch of river Godavari, there is no heavy vehicular traffic in the ferry. Only light vehicles such as cars and vans are being transported by means of ferry.

According to the NEC Executive Director, Mr G.V.D.M. Rao, If the bridge is completed, the heavy vehicles will start flying, including that of GAIL and ONGC, generating considerable heavy traffic. The traffic likely to be generated after the construction of this bridge is around 33,700 tonnes per day or around 3,000 commercial vehicles per day. This route, via Chinchinada, which was converted and named at Kathipudi-Pamarru National Highway No. 214 will emerge as an alternate route to National Highway No. 5 from Kathipudi to Vijayawada.

Pic.: Paddy bags are being brought to the Yanam side of river Godavari, using the traditional transport -- boats. The completion of the Yanam-Yedurulanka bridge will reduce the road distance between Konaseema and its district headquarters Kakinada by about 70 km. The bridge is expected to spur both agri-business and industrial growth in the region.

Picture by A.Roy Chowdhury.