Vijayawada: Cabinet ministers and the district administration have been claiming that the Kanaka Durga flyover would be built here before Krishna Pushkarams but roads and buildings minister Sidda Raghava Rao on Saturday made it clear that it will not become operational by the time thousands of pilgrims arrive for the festivities in August.

The minister told TOI that the four-lane road underneath the flyover will be completed by July 15. He said that efforts will be taken to effectively manage the traffic during the 12 days when the devout would perform rituals and take holy dips in the Krishna river. "Under no circumstances will the flyover construction be completed before Krishna Pushkarams. However, the four-lane road under the flyover will be ready by then," he said.