Vijayanagara Deputy Commissioner Kavitha S. Mannikeri has directed officials and the contractor to complete the long-pending railway overbridge (ROB) at the Ananthashayanagudi railway crossing on Hampi Road by the end of August and make it ready for public use after rectifying all existing deficiencies in the project. Chairing an emergency review meeting on the progress of the overbridge work at the Deputy Commissioner’s office on Tuesday, June 2, DC expressed strong dissatisfaction over the slow pace of construction despite the district administration having already resolved most of the major hurdles that had delayed the project.
The Deputy Commissioner instructed the concerned departments and the contractor to accelerate the remaining work and strictly adhere to the revised deadline. She emphasized that the overbridge is a crucial infrastructure project for the district and that further delays would not be tolerated.
The railway overbridge at Ananthashayanagudi is expected to play a vital role in improving connectivity between Hosapete and Hampi, one of Karnataka’s most visited tourist destinations and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The existing railway crossing often leads to traffic congestion, long waiting periods for commuters, and inconvenience to tourists, especially during peak travel seasons.
Ms. Mannikeri stressed that all shortcomings in the construction work must be addressed before the bridge is opened to the public. She directed officials to regularly monitor the progress and ensure that quality standards are maintained throughout the completion phase.
The project has been pending for several years and has drawn criticism from local residents, public representatives, and road users who have repeatedly demanded its early completion. With most administrative and technical obstacles reportedly resolved, the district administration is now pushing for the final phase of construction to be completed without further setbacks.
Once operational, the overbridge is expected to eliminate traffic bottlenecks at the railway crossing, improve road safety, reduce travel time, and provide smoother access to Hampi for both residents and visitors. The project is also expected to boost tourism and support economic activity in the region by enhancing transportation infrastructure.
The August-end deadline is being viewed as a decisive attempt by the district administration to finally bring the long-awaited project to completion and deliver a much-needed infrastructure upgrade for the people of Vijayanagara district.