Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Shipping, Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Nitin Gadkari on January 21, 2019, inaugurated and laid the foundation of 39 National Highways Projects in Andhra Pradesh They include construction of eleven ROBs under Setu Bhartam programme. These projects have a length of 1,384 km and involve investment of Rs 16,878 crore.
Speaking on the occasion, Gadkari said the length of National Highways in Andhra Pradesh before May 2014 was 4,193 km which has now increased to 7,246 km (including In-principle NHs). Thus, there has been increase of 3,053 km length in NHs. Total likely investment in Andhra Pradesh is Rs 1,00,000 crore for development of National Highways.
Under Bharatmala, about 2,520 km of roads at a cost of Rs 44,000 crore have been envisaged. Under Sethu Bhartam, 31 ROBs have been approved with cost of about Rs 2,500 crore. Out of these, 18 ROBs amounting to Rs 1,310 crore have been sanctioned which are at construction/award stage, Gadkari said. He said a total of 108 projects at a cost of Rs 1,64,719 crore were identified for the State of which 19 projects worth Rs 2,242 crore were completed till October 2018. He said 53 focus projects at a cost of Rs 33,042 crore are planned for completion during 2018-20.
The Minister said a roadmap has been developed for increasing Vizag Port capacity to 211 MMTPA from existing 152 MMTPA by 2025. Eleven port capacity expansion projects costing Rs 2,536 crore have also been identified to add 71 MMTPA capacity.
The Minister further informed that 36 Road Projects are planned for the State under Sagarmala Programme. Of these 35 are by NHAI/ MoRTH, and one by the Port Trust. He said three projects have been completed and eight projects are under implementation while 19 Railway Projects worth Rs 10,000 crore are also planned of which nine are by Indian Railways, six by IPRCL and four by Andhra Pradesh Ports department. He said six projects have been completed and another six are under implementation, according to a PIB release. Gadkari said nine industrial clusters are being developed under Sagarmala programme in the State.