The Ministry of Science and Technology’s CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI) has agreed to provide technical expertise to improve roads across Visakhapatnam. The decision came after a high-level meeting between CSIR-CRRI officials, the city’s municipal corporation, and regional development authorities. This collaboration will shape how the city builds and maintains its road network over the coming years.
What has been planned
Visakhapatnam’s Greater Municipal Corporation (GVMC) and the Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) are undertaking a major road improvement scheme covering approximately 228 km of roads across eight constituencies. The work includes upgrading unpaved and water-bound macadam roads to bituminous concrete standards, installing over 1,550 street lights, developing 34 km of central medians, and improving key junctions.
CSIR-CRRI will support these projects and address several other challenges facing the city. Areas identified for scientific study and solutions include:
- Road erosion, urban flooding, and coastal erosion issues
- Pedestrian safety and walking facilities
- Road safety audits and speed breaker management
- A modern system to track and manage the city’s road assets
- Quality control and training for contractors and engineers
- Bridge condition assessments
CSIR-CRRI and the two civic bodies will execute formal agreements to formalise this partnership. The Institute brings seven decades of road research experience to the table. Initial surveys of selected road stretches have already begun to assess existing conditions, design standards, safety features, and infrastructure gaps.
What this means for you
Visakhapatnam residents can expect better-quality roads built using scientific methods rather than ad-hoc approaches. The focus on pedestrian safety, drainage, and coastal erosion management should reduce flooding and make streets safer for walking. By involving research experts in quality control, the roads built are likely to last longer and require fewer repairs, potentially reducing future disruptions to traffic and daily life.