Visakhapatnam: In a first step towards the construction of an alternative road proposed between Gopalapatnam petrol bunk and NSTL Junction , officials demolished the boundary wall of the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL) on Wednesday. The nearly 2.5 km detour, via Laxmi Nagar, was proposed about five years ago as a measure to ease the traffic at the busiest NAD junction.As the project requires some land from NSTL, the delay in getting approvals from the defence ministry deferred the project. Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC), district officials and the local MLA conducted several rounds of talks with the NSTL officials in the last three years. The alternative road is expected to ease about 25% traffic near NAD Junction.Speaking to TOI, Vizag West MLA P Ganababu said that a 40-feet kutcha road will be initially formed. “Later on, the road will be expanded and a permanent road will be laid. This alternative will help decrease the traffic at the NAD junction. We have been finally successful in getting the required approvals from the defence ministry through our continuous efforts,” Ganababu said.A 1,562 square metres defence land in the NSTL campus has been acquired by the GVMC. In exchange, an equal amount of land has been provided to the NSTL at an alternative location adjoining the NSTL campus. Documents to this effect have already been exchanged between the NSTL, GVMC and district officials.Although Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) has embarked upon the construction of a multi-level grade separator (flyover) at the NAD junction a few months ago, it is expected to take two years to be completed. With the ongoing flyover construction work, traffic snarls had further increased at the junction. If the alternative route becomes operational in the next few months, it will greatly help commuters.

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