Seed Access Road: the 21 km main road from Dondapadu to Undavalli
This is the main road into the capital from the Vijayawada side. Phases 1 and 2 are open. Phase 3, with a cable bridge to the Kanakadurga Varadhi, was announced to start on 29 August 2026. We have not seen a report that work began, so check the latest works report before you rely on it.
Last reviewed
- 21.77 km
- Total length
- 18.3 km
- Phase 1, in use since 2018
- 3.92 km
- Phase 2, opened 13 Aug 2026
- ₹593 cr
- Phase 3 (3.5 km + bridge)
The three phases
| Phase | Stretch | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | 18.3 km, Dondapadu to Venkatapalem | Completed by 2018. APCRDA spent about ₹1,519 crore on the road overall. |
| Phase 2 | Venkatapalem to Undavalli | Work began in September 2025 after years of delay. In January 2026 the state notified 12.58 acres of land: Undavalli 10.5, Penumaka 0.65, Mandadam 0.7 and Rayapudi 0.72. The High Court dismissed the challenges to this acquisition in August 2026. The Chief Minister opened this 3.92 km stretch on 13 August 2026, with steel bridges over the Buckingham Canal (110 m) and the Kondaveeti Vagu and Guntur Channel (280 m). |
| Phase 3 | 3.5 km from the Prakasam Barrage side to Manipal Hospital, with a 320 m cable-stayed bridge joining NH-16 at the Kanakadurga Varadhi | ₹593.03 crore. The minister announced that work would start on 29 August 2026. We have not seen a report that it did. The tenders opened on 27 August were for village and plot works, not for this road. |
Why it matters for land
The E3 is the capital's main entry from Vijayawada. It is planned to carry the BRTS bus lanes, cycle tracks, footpaths, green belts and utility ducts. The Chief Minister opened phase 2 on 13 August 2026. Every village on it, from Dondapadu through Venkatapalem to Undavalli, becomes a village on the main road. A plot a few minutes from it is valued differently from one that is not.
Questions people ask
Is the Seed Access Road open?
Mostly. The first 18.3 km, from Dondapadu to Venkatapalem, has been in use since 2018, and the 3.92 km second phase opened on 13 August 2026. The last stretch, with the bridge link to NH-16, was announced to start on 29 August 2026. We have not seen a report that work began.
Why do reports number the Seed Access Road phases differently?
Different reports cut the road into different pieces. One report in February 2026 called a 3.51 km stretch built by NCC phase 3, while later reports use phase 3 for the cable bridge to NH-16. Go by the stretch and the cost, not the phase number.
Want a straight answer about a plot or a village?
We live and work in the capital villages. Send the survey number or LP number and we will tell you what we know, including the things that should make you pause.