TIRUPATI: The opening of Chintalachenu LC 107 road under-bridge (RUB) has triggered a row between the ruling Telugu Desam (TD) and opposition YSRC, with both parties trading allegations over the delay in making the facility available to public.
LC 107 crossing is a major traffic bottleneck on the Tirupati-Renigunta road, with around 50,000 vehicles using the stretch daily. Frequent train movements caused inordinate delays, prompting the proposal for a RUB to ease congestion and improve connectivity to the eastern parts of Tirupati.
YSRC Tirupati in-charge Bhumana Abhinay led a protest at the underpass on Thursday, demanding its immediate opening. While the protest held placards and shouted slogans, Abhinay alleged that though most of the project, approved in 2023, had been completed, the RUB is still not available to commuters.
He questioned why installation of a rainwater drainage pump should hold up opening of the road under-bridge when the underpass is otherwise ready for use. He went on to cite a railway communication dated June 22, which said the facility is ready for opening.
Opposition YSRC claimed that officials responded to its protest and opened the underpass for public use shortly after their agitation began.
The ruling TD has rejected the claim that the protest led to the opening. TD Tirupati in-charge J.B. Srinivas said the underpass is scheduled to be inaugurated on September 28. He accused the YSRC of trying to claim political credit.
Srinivas, who subsequently inspected the underpass along with TD parliamentary president Panabaka Lakshmi, said arrangements are being made to install a motor to pump out rainwater whenever it accumulates. He said September 28 has been finalized as the opening date after discussions with railway officials.
The TD in-charge criticized the previous YSRC government for not completing the required works. He maintained that the coalition government is giving priority to development works in Tirupati.