The Union Surface Transport Ministry has indicated that it was agreeable to convert and upgrade couple of State Highways into National Highways in Andhra Pradesh with an investment of ₹1,000 crore.
Nitin Gadkari, Union Surface Transport Minister, in letter to the State Government has expressed the Centre’s willingness to support the State’s request to convert roads connecting Anantapur with the new capital city of Amaravati via Kurnool on the National Highway 65, spanning a stretch of 452 km.
It is also proposed to facilitate construction and upgradation of Kurnool, Kadapa and Anantapur road connecting National Highway 40 and NH 65 spanning a stretch of 132 km. The proposal is to convert existing four-lane roads into six and 8 lanes depending on the viability in these locations.
While the land acquisition process will be handled by the State Government, the Centre was willing to meet the required funding of ₹1,000 crore for upgradation and expansion.
PPP mode After securing the necessary approvals from the State Government with regard to land clearance, the NHAI will start work and take up the construction under the public-private partnership mode.
Outer Ring Road project The Transport Ministry has also in principle approved the proposed 186 km Outer Ring Road project around the new capital city of Amaravati.
The connecting theme for the upgradation of these roads is to provide connectivity to the State capital within 4-5 hours be it from Srikakulam, Anantapur, Kurnool and Kadapa.
The funds for the roads will be allocated from the NHAI budget, the State was informed. While the Union Minister has accorded clearance, the approval from the state Government is awaited.