The Narendra Modi- led central government has announced another huge project for Andhra Pradesh. It has given the green signal for a 4-lane road from Badvel in Kadapa district to Gurivindapudi in Nellore district, which is likely to be a major game changer for the fastest growth of backward Rayalaseema region.
Union Minister Ashwani Vaishnav revealed that this road will be constructed at a cost of Rs 3,653 crore and will be 108 km long. He said that the construction of this road will increase port connectivity to the economic corridor in Andhra Pradesh as well as North Karnataka.
It was revealed that it has been decided to upgrade 23 km, construct 85 km of greenfield highway, and construct the highway on build-operate-transfer basis. The union cabinet has also decided to convert the Ratlam- Nagda railway line into 4 lanes and the Wardha- Balharshah railway line into 4 lanes.
As part of this project, this road will be constructed for a length of 108.13 km from Krishnapatnam Port Road near Guruvindapudi in Manubolu mandal to Gopavaram in Badvel mandal. The 'Port Road to Badvel' national highway project will be constructed under the Design- Build- Finance- Operate-Transfer (DBFOT) method.
The construction of this road will be carried out through Manubolu, Podalakur, Chaserla, Ananthasagaram and Marripadu mandals. Presently, vehicles from Krishnapatnam Port and other industries are dependent on the Mumbai Highway to go to the Rayalaseema region.
A total of Rs. 3653.10 crore will be spent on this road project. NHAI officials are working to call tenders next month. After Prime Minister Modi became the Prime Minister for the third time, support from the Center for AP has increased multifold.
Amaravati and Polavaram are receiving support, besides several other key projects. Railway lines to Amaravati, ORR hve been specially approved. Similarly, a special package has been given to Visakhapatnam Steel Plant. AP is being given priority in the matter of national highways.