Jagan meets union ministers on second day, seeks wider highways in state

VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has sought from centre a six-lane highway to ease traffic congestion, and reiterated state government’s previous appeal for a bypass road on eastern side of Vijayawada.

These are among works the CM sought from union highways minister Nitin Gadkari, as he continued to meet union ministers during his visit of New Delhi on Tuesday.

During his hour-long meeting with Gadkari, the Chief Minister discussed preparation of a detailed project report (DPR) for the six-lane national highway from Visakhapatnam Port to Bhogapuram via Rushikonda and Bheemili. He pointed out that this highway will be very useful as it will be a short distance from Odisha and Chhattisgarh. It will be closer to beach corridor projects coming along the coast.

In addition, the highway will help develop tourism in the region and within easy reach of Bhogapuram International Airport. The six lanes will ease traffic congestion in Visakhapatnam.

Jagan Mohan Reddy requested the union minister for early consideration of state government’s previous appeal for a bypass road on eastern side of Vijayawada. He assured that land acquisition for the bypass will be completed as soon as possible. To reduce cost of the project, the state government will provide exemption from SGST and royalty.

The CM requested Gadkari to consider four-lane road in Bapatla as part of NH-16’s Kathipudi-Ongole corridor. This will avoid traffic jams in the area due to educational institutions, tourists and the air base.

Later, the Chief Minister met union information minister Anurag Singh Thakur and union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan. He explained to Pradhan initiatives taken up by state government for development of education in the state.