Flower market shift, road widening plans reviewed at Anandapuram
In a major step towards improving connectivity to the upcoming Bhogapuram International Airport, the district administration on Saturday reviewed a series of proposals aimed at decongesting the busy Anandapuram junction, including the possible relocation of the flower market and widening of key approach roads.
Visakhapatnam District Collector M. Abhishikth Kishore, accompanied by officials of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA), Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC), and the Roads and Buildings Department, conducted a field inspection at Anandapuram junction to assess traffic bottlenecks and identify measures to streamline vehicular movement.
The junction, which connects major highways leading towards Bhogapuram, has emerged as a critical congestion point due to increasing traffic volumes and commercial activity.
Following the inspection, officials held a review meeting at the Bhogapuram airport site to discuss preliminary traffic-management and infrastructure proposals aimed at ensuring seamless airport connectivity before the project becomes operational.
Among the key issues discussed was the possible shifting of the Anandapuram flower market, a major trading hub serving north Andhra Pradesh. Officials observed that heavy pedestrian movement, loading and unloading activity, and increasing vehicular traffic around the market have significantly contributed to congestion at the junction.
Authorities examined the feasibility of relocating vendors to a nearby 95 to 100-cent site that had originally been earmarked for a Rythu Bazaar. Revenue officials also explored the possibility of utilising adjacent land belonging to the SC Corporation to meet additional space requirements.
Officials clarified that no final decision has been taken on the relocation proposal and that all options remain under consideration as part of the broader traffic decongestion and airport connectivity plan.