New Delhi (NVI): Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari today inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for 16 national highway projects with a total length of 1,411 kms 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, which has now increased to 6,860 km. Thus, there has been increase of 2,667 km (64 per cent) in NH length during past 6 years.
The event was presided by the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy in virtual mode via a video conference from New Delhi and Vijayawada.
Gadkari also informed that works costing Rs 34,100 crore are under DPR Stage and targeted for completion by 2024, while works costing Rs 25,440 crore are under implementation and that 50-60 per cent progress has been achieved in projects costing Rs 18,100 crore.
The minister informed that 5,000 km of NHs are being developed as a part of Bharatmala Pariyojana in the state. In addition to this, 400 km of port connectivity roads will also be developed under the programme.
“In line with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for a New India, development of world-class transport infrastructure has been prioritized, through initiatives such as the Bharatmala Pariyojana, India’s largest ever infrastructure development programme,” the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways said quoting the Minister.
Gadkari also said that the 335 km Anantpur – Amaravati expressway is being developed as a part of the Pariyojana. The access control expressway improving connectivity of Capital Region, Coastal and Northern region of the state 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, new capital city of Andhra Pradesh with Anantapuramu and provides a major connectivity between NH-44 & NH-16 which are lifeline in the state.
The minister further said the Bangalore – Chennai expressway with a length of 262 km is also one of the expressways being developed as a part of the programme.
Also, three packages with a length of 85 km are being developed in Andhra Pradesh with a cost of Rs 5,200 crore. The works have been sanctioned and construction is being initiated in another 16 projects of length 878 km at an investment of Rs 7,585 crore. It includes construction of Western Side Benz Circle Flyover in the city limits of Vijayawada.
Union MoSs Gen (Retd) V K Singh and G Kishan Reddy, Union Secretary (MoRTH) A Giridhar, state minister for Roads and Buildings M Sankara Narayana, Principal Secretary M T Krishna Babu were among the others who attended the event.
-RJV
