Gadkari Lays Foundation Stones For 16 National Highways Projects In Andhra Pradesh

In a big boost to the economy, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has laid the foundation stones for 16 National Highways projects with a total length of 1,411 km worth Rs 15,592 crore in Andhra Pradesh.

Speaking on the occasion, Gadkari said that the length of National Highways in Andhra Pradesh before May 2014 was 4,193 km, and has now increased to 6,860 km.

Thus, there has been an increase of 2,667 km (64 per cent) in NH length during the past six years.

He informed that works costing Rs 34,100 crore are under the detailed project report (DPR) stage and were targeted for completion by 2024, while works costing Rs 25,440 crore are under implementation.

He said, 50-60 per cent progress has been achieved in projects costing Rs 18,100 crore.

The Minister invited Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy to Delhi at an early date to discuss and resolve pending issues.

He assured his total support in sanctioning maximum number of developmental projects for the State.
Gadkari said that 5,000 km of National Highways are being developed as part of Bharatmala Pariyojana in the State.

In addition, 400 km of port connectivity roads will also be developed under the scheme.

He said, Bharatmala Pariyojana was conceptualised through a scientific study of freight traffic movement between key origin-destination pairs to enable efficient freight and passenger movement.

As much as 35,000 km of National Highways are being developed as part of Bharatmala Pariyojana in the country.

The Minister said, in line with the Prime Minister’s vision for a New India, the development of world-class transport infrastructure has been prioritised, through initiatives such as the Bharatmala Pariyojana, India’s largest ever infrastructure development programme.

Many flagship corridors such as Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, Delhi-Amritsar- Katra Expressway, Chennai-Bengaluru Expressway, Anantapur-Amaravati Expressway etc. are being developed as part of Bharatmala Pariyojana.

Gadkari said that the 335 km Anantpur-Amaravathi Expressway is being developed as part of the Bharatmala Pariyojana.

The access control expressway improves connectivity of the capital region, coastal and northern regions of Andhra Pradesh and will greatly enable the economic prosperity of the region.

The expressway has 16 packages and is being developed with an investment of Rs 20,000 crore.

It connects Amaravati, the new capital city of Andhra Pradesh, with Ananthapuramu of Rayalaseema region and provides major connectivity between NH-44 and NH-16, which are the lifelines of Andhra Pradesh.

The Minister said the Bangalore–Chennai Expressway with a length of 262 km is also one of the expressways being developed as part of the Bharatmala Pariyojana.

This access control expressway, which aims at improving connectivity between Bangalore and Chennai, will greatly enable the economic prosperity of the region.

Three packages with a total length of 85 km are being developed in the State of Andhra Pradesh with an investment of Rs 5,200 crore.

The works have been sanctioned and construction is being initiated in another 16 projects of 878 km length at an investment of Rs 7,585 crore.

It includes construction of Western Side Benz Circle Flyover in the city limits of Vijayawada.

Gadkari said the State government has extended its co-operation in sharing the land acquisition cost for the Amaravati–Anantapur Expressway.

He requested the State to continue this co-operation for the implementation of other projects too, resolving the issues of the toll plazas and fast disbursement of compensation for land acquisition.

The Minister informed that projects with a total length of 637 km costing Rs 8,306 crore are likely to be completed during 2020-21.

These include eight projects with a road length of 150 km at a cost of Rs 3,850 crore by NHAI, and 19 projects with a road length of 487 km at a cost of Rs 4,456 crore by the Ministry.

Further, projects with a total length of 535 km costing Rs 11,712 crore are to be awarded during the current fiscal.

These include four projects with a road length of 217 km at a cost of Rs 9,071 crore by NHAI, and nine projects with a road length of 318 km at a cost of Rs 2,641 crore by the ministry.

Another 2,371 km of projects costing Rs 34,133 crore are in the DPR stage.

These include 10 projects with a road length of 713 km at a cost of Rs 19,559 crore by NHAI, 24 per cent projects with a road length of 404 km at a cost of Rs 7,004 crore, and 20 projects with a road length of 1,254 km at a cost of Rs 7,570 crore by the ministry.

Chief Minister Reddy thanked the Union Minister for giving consent to various proposals sent by the State.

He said the State needs continued support of the Centre for ensuring enhanced progress of the people.

He pointed out that sanctions for approved projects during the first tenure of the NDA were still awaited.

The Chief Minister also suggested eight road lengths to be taken up on priority in the state.