Overview
- Roads & Buildings Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy has written to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari seeking toll-free passage on the corridor on January 9–14 for Hyderabad–Vijayawada traffic and January 16–18 for return travel.
- He cited festival volumes rising to nearly double the usual traffic and long queues at Panthangi, Korlapahad and Chilakaluripet toll plazas as the basis for the request.
- The state says it is coordinating with NHAI, MoRTH and traffic police, and has planned an incident management control room, medical support and limits on heavy vehicles during peak days.
- Komatireddy said he is prepared to meet the Union minister to press the case and indicated the department could make nominal payments at toll booths to keep vehicles moving if required.
- The appeal has drawn criticism over fairness and alleged electoral motives, and the proposal remains pending central approval.