Officials from the Railways, Roads & Buildings Department, along with the Andhra University (AU) conducted a joint site inspections of the Road Over Bridge (ROB) near Duvvada railway station to evaluate structural damage and initiate emergency measures.

The inspections followed a report published in The Hindu on September 21, 2026, under the headline “Railway officials raise safety issues over Duvvada ROB, advise GVMC to act fast,” which highlighted grave safety concerns raised by South Coast Railway (SCoR).

The urgent inspections were triggered after an unidentified vehicle hit the protective railing on the bridge, already in a deteriorated condition. The collision left a section of the railing severely damaged and hanging dangerously over the roadway, worsening safety risks for daily commuters. The pedestal of an adjacent electrical pole was also damaged in the crash.

B.S.K. Rajkumar, Principal Chief Engineer of SCoR, inspected the site alongside Dr. Patnaik, Divisional Engineer Visakhapatnam Division. A technical evaluation was carried out by Professor D. Srirammurty, Head of the Department of Civil Engineering at Andhra University.

During the assessment, Professor Srirammurty noted that apart from the broken railings, the crucial bearings of the ROB have suffered severe damage, making immediate repairs and renovation necessary to ensure public safety.

Following discussions between John Sudhakar, superintending Engineer R&B, and the SCoR engineering team, an official estimate of ₹22 lakh was proposed for dismantling the damaged hanging railings, constructing new ones, and carrying out structural repairs on the damaged bearings. The R&B Department is expected to begin work once the funds are officially sanctioned.

The bridge serves as a vital route for commuters, employees of the Visakhapatnam Special Economic Zone (VSEZ), students, and residents of over 14 neighboring colonies, including Sabbavaram, Mangalapalem, Vedurullanarava, and Askapalli.

Representing the commuters, the Duvvada Railway Users Association DRUA has urged the GVMC, SCoR, and R&B Department to coordinate immediately, expedite fund sanctioning, and restore the bridge without further delay.