A portion of the bridge over the Bandar Canal at Penamaluru near Vijayawada collapsed in the early hours of July 2, 2026. Built in 1932 and opened on April 15 by Madras Chief Minister B. Muniswami Naidu, it had been closed to vehicles about 10 years ago but was still used by pedestrians. The collapse disrupted the link between NH-65, Chodavaram and surrounding villages. Penamaluru police confirmed no injuries. MLA Bode Prasad attributed the collapse to age-related deterioration and said proposals for new bridges had been submitted to the government. The bridge gradually fell into disuse after a wider crossing was built 15 to 20 years ago. Residents said a new bridge was needed amid rising traffic; the newer bridge carries heavy sand trucks and is used by schoolchildren and pedestrians. The pre-Independence bridges at Uppuluru and Kesarapalli remain in service.

A portion of the 94-year-old bridge at Penamaluru, near Vijayawada, collapsed before dawn on Thursday, July 2, 2026. No casualties were reported. Police said it had been closed to vehicles nearly a decade ago over safety concerns, but pedestrians continued to use it. The collapse disrupted pedestrian connectivity between National Highway-65, Chodavaram and nearby villages.

A plaque records the bridge’s inauguration on April 15, 1932, by Dewan Bahadur B. Muniswami Naidu, then Chief Minister of the Madras Presidency. Built across the Bandar Canal, it linked NH-65 with Chodavaram until a wider bridge was built about two decades ago. The unaffected portion remained in use, including by fish and prawn vendors.

Penamaluru MLA Bode Prasad attributed the collapse to deterioration and said proposals for new bridges at Penamaluru, Uppuluru and Kesarapalli had been submitted to the government.

Vijayawada Metro is a Light Rail Transit system planned for Vijayawada and Amaravati, managed by Andhra Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (APMRC), formerly Amaravati Metro Rail Corporation. The project is in the implementation stage.

Phase 1 covers 38.4 km across two corridors. Line 1 runs from Pandit Nehru Bus Station (PNBS) to Penamaluru, stopping at Museum, IG Stadium, DV Manor, Benz Circle, Autonagar Gate, Ravindra Bharati School, Gayatri JR College, Law College, Tadigadapa and Poranki. Line 2 runs from PNBS to Vijayawada Airport at Gannavaram, with 23 km elevated and 2.90 km underground.

Phase 2 Line 2 is planned from PNBS to Amravati Reservoir, with 4.7 km elevated and 23.1 km underground.

A DPR was prepared in 2014–15. In September 2015, Andhra Pradesh signed an implementation agreement with Delhi Metro Rail Corporation for a 26.03 km heavy-rail Phase 1; procurement was cancelled in 2015–16 over high costs and projected low ridership. The state shifted to light rail in 2017–18. SYSTRA–RITES–GOPA JV submitted a revised DPR in 2019, approved by the state in 2024. The project is expected to improve connectivity, reduce congestion and vehicle use, and support real estate demand and commercial investment along metro corridors.

Traffic congestion from Benz Circle–NTR Circle (Patamata) to Penamaluru on NH-65 (Machilipatnam–Pune route) causes daily delays for lakhs of commuters from Vijayawada, Machilipatnam, Gudivada, Avanigadda, Bhimavaram, Narasapuram, and Rajole. Bus travel from Machilipatnam to Tadigadapa takes one hour, then another hour to PNBS due to traffic; evening journey from PNBS to Autonagar takes 1.5–2 hours due to congestion at Benz Circle and MTM route. Main issues: absence of flyover and narrow roads despite NH-65 status. NH-16 at Benz Circle has a flyover; NH-65 does not. Road from Benz Circle–NTR Circle to Tadigadapa remains narrow with no widening undertaken. Stretch spans NTR district (to Autonagar bus stop) and Krishna district (beyond), causing jurisdictional neglect. Public demand for flyover from NTR Circle to Autonagar or Kanuru (5–6 km). Vijayawada MP Kesineni Sivanath said NHAI can reduce congestion by completing drainage works and widening between Rama Krishna Theatre and Benz Circle, but NHAI cites TDR bonds and court cases. MP plans to meet Union Minister Nitin Gadkari with Machilipatnam MP Vallabhaneni Balasowry to discuss flyover construction and extension works.