Overspeeding reason behind many accidents, says NHAI official

The Regional Officer of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Vijayawada, said that overspeeding of vehicles was one of the most important reasons behind many accidents.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, had organised an official one-day media tour in Palnadu district on Saturday to provide first-hand information on the significance of the six-laning of Chilakaluripet bypass on NH-16.

The new dedicated NH stretch will significantly reduce the travel time, enhance road safety and ease congestion in and around Chilakaluripet town, said Mr. Singh.

During the tour, Mr. Singh briefed the media on the ambitious infrastructure project, which involves the six-laning of the Chilakaluripet bypass stretch from Murikipudi to Thimmapuram. The project is being executed under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) as part of Centre’s flagship Bharatmala Pariyojana initiative aimed at improving logistics efficiency and road connectivity across the country.

Explaining the scope of the project, Mr. Singh said the upgraded corridor would reduce travel time in and around Chilakaluripet town. He noted that NH-16 was one of the most crucial arterial highways in the country, forming part of the Golden Quadrilateral network and connecting key economic centres along the east coast.

The Regional Officer highlighted that the Hybrid Annuity Mode ensures a balanced risk-sharing mechanism between the government and the concessionaire, enabling timely execution and better quality standards. Under this model, the government provides a portion of the project cost during the construction phase, while the private developer invests the remaining amount and maintains the highway for a fixed period.

Mr. Singh also elaborated on safety features being incorporated in the project, including service roads, pedestrian underpasses, adequate signage and scientifically designed medians. Environmental safeguards and proper land acquisition compensation mechanisms, in line with statutory norms, were also followed, he added.

The media tour included site visits along the Murikipudi-Thimmapuram stretch.