Visakhapatnam

In a major structural shift to redefine urban transit in Visakhapatnam, the authorities concerned including Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC), City Police, and VMRDA are planning to transform 35 major traffic intersections across the city into ‘Halt-Free Junctions’.

A halt-free junction is an intersection engineered to eliminate vehicle stops using grade-separated infrastructure – such as flyovers, underpasses, and dedicated free left turns. This allows continuous traffic flow across intersecting roads without the need for traditional, timed red lights.

The project design takes inspiration from highly efficient urban transport models successfully utilised in Japan and several other East Asian nations.

The civic body with the association of the City police has initiated comprehensive feasibility survey works at targeted locations. A final technical survey report is expected to be submitted to the municipal administration within the next three to four days.

To assess the physical and logistical feasibility of the project, the GVMC will roll out the engineering model on a pilot basis at three high-density locations in the city - Endada Junction, Satyam Junction and Vantillu Junction (Gajuwaka).

Following the successful execution and fine-tuning of these pilot sites, the civic body intends to scale up the infrastructure modifications to cover 35 major intersections across the city grid.

Speaking to The Hindu, GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg stated that the infrastructure upgrades will focus on eliminating traditional vehicle bottlenecks through optimized spatial restructuring. Each junction redesign is estimated to cost between ₹1.5 crore and ₹2 crore, depending on the required civil engineering adjustments. These models are seen in the east Asian countries like Japan, he said while adding that there will be no traffic signal lights on these junctions.

Deadline ahead of summit

The municipal corporation has set a strict timeline for the completion of the initiative. The civic body aims to finish the junction overhauls by the end of October 2026, positioning the new traffic model to be fully operational before a high-profile international summit commences in the city this November.

“Yes, we want to complete this project by the end of October as we wish to showcase it to the delegates of the upcoming summit. The civil works will begin in the next two to three weeks. Once the pilot project is completed, we will focus on other junctions including Hanumanthawaka Junction in next phase” Mr. Garg said.

Engineering officials indicated that structural changes at the pilot spots will begin immediately after the survey report is vetted later this week.

Published - August 03, 2026 11:33 pm IST