Gadkari Lays Foundation for Three National Highway Projects in AP

TIRUPATI: Union roads minister Nitin Gadkari has laid the foundation stone for three National Highway (NH) projects at an event in the Tarakarama Stadium here on Thursday. These projects span a length of 87km and involve a cost of Rs 2,900 crore.

The first project is the Naidupeta Turpu Kanupur Section of NH-71, which covers 35 km at an investment of Rs 1,399 crore. The second is the Chillakuru Cross-Krishnapatnam Port South Gate Section via Turpu Kanupur on NH-516, spanning 36 km and costing Rs 909 crore.

The third is between Thamminapatnam and Narikellapalli involving an extension of the dedicated port road from Eupuru to Krishnapatnam on NH-516W and NH-67, spanning a length of 16km and costing 610 crore.

Gadkari said these projects would, on completion, provide seamless and secure connectivity to Krishnapatnam Port, enabling faster accessibility to national master plan nodes, industrial nodes, and SEZ at Nellore.

They would also enhance the safety and convenience of the devotees traveling to Tirumala and Srikalahasti shrines.

These projects are expected to generate substantial employment opportunities and bolster tourism by establishing connections to popular attractions like Nelapattu bird sanctuary and SHAR at Sriharikota.

Gadkari said that, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, “We remain fully committed to ensuring swift, seamless and energy-efficient mobility across the entire nation.”

He stated that by the end of 2023, 91 different projects, spanning 3,240 km and valued at Rs 50,000 crore will be completed. Additionally, another 190 projects at a cost of Rs 75,000 crore are in various stages of completion. About 25 projects, spanning 800km and 45 projects spanning 1,800 km, with an investment of Rs 20,000 crore and Rs 50,000 crore respectively, will be grounded soon.

The Union minister highlighted AP had a national highway stretch of 4,193 km when he started as the roads minister in 2014. Now, it has increased to 8,744km. “Almost twice the amount of construction has been done.”

"In Andhra Pradesh, development works of around Rs 2 lakh crore are being done, and this would help in the establishment of industries. Foreign and domestic investments are pouring into the country because of the transportation facility,” he stated.

Nitin Gadkari stated that in Tirupati district, works worth Rs 17,000 crore are being done, of which the works for Rs 4,000 crore have been completed. Works of Rs 13,000 crore related to Kadapa - Renigunta, Tirupati - Madanapalle, Renigunta-Naidupet and the 6-lane roads will be completed by 2025.

State roads and buildings Minister D Raja, Tirupati MP Gurumurthy, roads and buildings secretary Pradyumna, Tirupati collector Venkataramana, SP Parameswara Reddy and others were present.