This 160-kilometre stretch, originally constructed as a four-lane highway in the early 2000s, has seen a substantial rise in traffic, which has exceeded the 40,000-passenger car equivalent (PCU) threshold. Anakapalli MP C M Ramesh emphasized that the need for expansion has become critical, especially as surrounding areas have already undergone upgrades to six lanes. For instance, the 50-kilometre Anandapuram-Anakapalli national highway has been built to bypass the congested NH-16 through Vizag city, while the Srikakulam stretch has also been widened.
The Rajahmundry-Vijayawada highway section is already operating as a six-lane road, leaving the Anakapalli-Annavaram-Diwancheruvu stretch as the last remaining four-lane segment on this route. Upcoming connectivity projects, such as those linking Kakinada port to Annavaram and Rajanagaram, alongside the new four-lane Khammam-Devarapalli greenfield project, are expected to exacerbate traffic demands on this stretch.
The proposed six-lane upgrade is expected to incorporate modern features that promote uninterrupted traffic flow, minimal delays, and dedicated service roads in urban areas. Ramesh also announced plans for a parallel road connecting Tuni to Kothavalasa, enhancing the industrial growth prospects for Anakapalli district. Funding for this new infrastructure is anticipated to be allocated in the next financial year, should it not materialize in the current one.
The urgency of this upgrade is further underscored by the existing 30-year toll, operate, maintain, and transfer (TOMT) concession agreement, initiated in August 2018, which mandates capacity augmentation if traffic consistently surpasses the designed limit for three consecutive years. As the Annavaram-Diwancheruvu section approaches this threshold, timely action on the expansion is essential to avoid severe congestion and ensure efficient transportation in the region.
