Vizag Square Blamed for Traffic Chaos, Relocation Demanded
The Forum for Better Society has called upon the Andhra Pradesh government to remove or relocate Vizag Square, the public space developed at Siripuram Junction in Visakhapatnam, alleging that it has emerged as a significant source of traffic congestion, civic inconvenience, and public safety concerns.
In a formal representation submitted to the government, the Forum contended that the structure had adversely impacted urban planning and placed an undue burden on traffic management in the area.
It noted that residents, traffic experts, and commuters alike had expressed concern that the facility was proving detrimental to the smooth flow of traffic and public convenience.
The Forum pointed out that Vizag Square occupies critical road space along an already congested corridor, resulting in severe traffic snarls during peak hours, widespread lane indiscipline, lengthy detours, and delays in the movement of ambulances and other emergency vehicles.
The organisation further alleged that the space had increasingly become a congregation point for unruly youth, bike racers, and those engaged in social media reel-making, apart from being used for midnight celebrations, thereby leading to public disorder and incidents of vandalism.
The Forum has urged the government to commission an independent technical, legal, and traffic feasibility assessment of the project. It has also sought an inquiry into the legality of road alterations and parking facilities extended to Dutt Island, contending that these impinge upon alignments envisaged in the master plan.
The Forum called upon the government to direct the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation to relocate the structure to a non-obstructive site and restore the original road geometry and traffic utility of Siripuram Junction.
It also demanded accountability for alleged planning deviations and stressed the need for measures to ensure that private commercial interests are not permitted to override public road rights in future urban development decisions.