RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM: Travel along the interstate highway connecting Rajamahendravaram and Bhadrachalam is increasingly hazardous due to repeated disruptions, especially along the Maredumilli-Chintoor ghat stretch.
The 30 kilometer Ghat road between Valamuru in Maredumilli mandal and Tulasipaka in Chintoor mandal of Polavaram district is known for its steep gradient and sharp turns. Vehicles plying this area often encounter great difficulty, making travel dangerous for commuters.
With the road designated as an inter-state road, it serves as a crucial link between the united mandals and neighboring states like Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. On Sunday morning, a bolero car overturned and fell into a pit in Boddugudem village, killing two and injuring 13.
Of late, accidents have been frequently reported on National Highway 30 connecting Chinturu-Bhadrachalam, National Highway 326 leading to Odisha and the state highway to Seethampeta.
In 2024, 29 people lost their lives and in 2025, 39 people lost their lives in accidents that happened on the Ghat road. Heavy vehicular traffic has further aggravated the situation. Oversized and overloaded trucks often ply this road despite the restrictions, leading to frequent breakdowns and traffic jams.
Many vehicles struggle to climb steep inclines or negotiate dangerous curves, often getting stuck in the middle of the road. As a result, long queues of vehicles, including APSRTC buses, have been left waiting for hours, causing major inconvenience.
Although the government has imposed restrictions on the length and weight of vehicles, limiting them to 15 meters and 35 tonnes respectively, these rules are not being strictly enforced.
Warning signs have been installed near Maredumilli, but large trailer trucks continue to operate, often getting stuck at critical turns due to their size.
Local authorities have acknowledged the issue and have ensured action. Maredumilli Circle Inspector (CI) T Gopi Narendra Prasad stated, “Action will be taken to regulate vehicular movement and identify those causing obstruction on major turns. Efforts will be made to ensure smooth flow and prevent inconvenience to other commuters.”
With increased traffic and lax enforcement, commuters are urging the authorities to take immediate and effective steps to make the Ghat Road safer and more manageable.
