Indrakeeladri Ghat road repair works halted due to heatwave in Vijayawada

Rehabilitation work on the Indrakeeladri Ghat Road leading to the Kanaka Durga temple has been temporarily halted due to extreme weather conditions and intense heatwave prevailing in the city.

Repair work, carried out jointly by the Endowment Department and the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department, began from the toll plaza to the hilltop road on May 26. Officials had originally planned to complete the work by June 12.

However, the Deputy Executive Engineer of R&B Sub Division informed the temple authorities through an official letter on Thursday that the current weather conditions are not suitable to continue the road rehabilitation work.

Severe heat wave conditions made it difficult for field workers to carry out repairs, according to officials. Carrying out bitumen and chemical-based road repair works under such extreme heat will not be technically appropriate and may cause cracks and damage on the road surface.

Considering the situation, the R&B Department has requested the temple authorities to revise the work schedule until the weather conditions return to normal.

Permanent rehabilitation works have been temporarily postponed while the road will be repaired for regular vehicular movement to ensure hassle-free access for devotees visiting the temple, officials said.

The temple management announced that vehicles will be allowed on Ghat Road as usual from the morning of May 29. Officials also assured the devotees that the revised schedule for permanent modernization works will be announced in advance once the weather conditions become favourable.