Infrastructure – Kakinada Set for Major Road Network Upgrade Under Bharatmala Projects
Infrastructure – Kakinada is preparing for a significant transformation in its transport infrastructure as new four-lane highway projects planned under the Bharatmala and Sagarmala initiatives aim to improve road connectivity, ease congestion, and strengthen access to the city’s port and industrial zones.
The proposed infrastructure development is expected to reshape travel across Kakinada district by linking the Annavaram National Highway with the Uppalanka region through Vakalapudi and Suryaraopeta. Once completed, the new corridor will provide a faster route for commuters travelling between Visakhapatnam, Yanam and Amalapuram while reducing traffic pressure inside Kakinada Smart City.
Greenfield corridor to divert heavy vehicles
A key component of the project is a new five-kilometre greenfield four-lane road extending from the northern gate of Anchorage Port to Uppalanka within Kakinada rural limits. Authorities believe this route will allow heavy commercial vehicles to bypass the city’s busy roads, improving traffic flow for local residents while making freight movement more efficient.
Officials estimate that the shorter alignment could reduce travel time by over 30 minutes for transport operators. Hundreds of trucks serving the port are also expected to shift to the new corridor, easing congestion in densely populated parts of the city.
Third bridge proposal remains an important link
The highway plan also depends on the construction of a third bridge across the Jagannaickpur Upputeru, commonly known as Salt Creek. The bridge project was first announced in 2018 with the objective of reducing urban traffic and improving connectivity between National Highway 216 and the port area.
The proposed bridge, along with a bypass road, carries an estimated project cost ranging between Rs 120 crore and Rs 146 crore. Once completed, it is expected to strengthen freight movement between industrial zones and the deep-water port.
Port industries expected to gain
Kakinada’s port handles a wide range of cargo, including rice, wheat, sugar and other food grains for export. It also manages imports and exports of fertilisers, minerals, granite, iron ore and other industrial materials.
The district is home to major industrial establishments, including fertiliser manufacturing facilities and oil refineries, making reliable transport infrastructure essential for uninterrupted logistics. Improved road connectivity is expected to lower transportation costs, reduce delivery time and support businesses dependent on port operations.
Bypass network progressing in phases
To manage increasing traffic volumes, road authorities, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the district administration have planned bypass routes on both sides of Kakinada.
Construction of the western bypass connecting Uppalanka with Kovvada through Cheediga, Madhavapatnam and Thimmapuram has already reached around 80 per cent completion.
Meanwhile, the originally proposed eastern bypass was dropped because of land acquisition challenges. Instead, its alignment has been incorporated into the Sagarmala road development plan, allowing the project to move forward through an alternative route.
Revised alignment connects key city locations
The updated alignment will link the Peddapuram Highway with Vakalapudi before extending through Suryaraopeta Lighthouse, NTR Beach, the fishing harbour, the Sea Port Office and Anchorage Port. From there, the road will continue towards Uppalanka, creating a direct connection between important commercial, tourism and port locations.
District Joint Collector Apoorva Bharat said revenue and survey officials have already been instructed to begin the land equalisation process. A joint team from various departments has also inspected the proposed route to facilitate further planning.
NHAI Project Director B. Krishna Murthy said three alternative alignments are currently under evaluation for the proposed greenfield highway. Each option includes bridge construction, with the first alignment emerging as the preferred choice. If approved, the new route will reduce the existing 22-kilometre journey to just five kilometres, providing a major boost to connectivity across Kakinada.