Gadkari Flags Off ₹5,233 Cr Highway Projects in Andhra Pradesh

Along with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari today inaugurated and laid the foundation of multiple National Highway projects numbering 29 with an investment of ₹5,233 crore. At a stretch of 272 km, these projects aim to enhance connectivity and reduce logistics costs while assuring the fuel for economic growth in the region.

The upscale section of the Madanapalle-Pileru stretch of NH-71 has now been opened as a four-lane corridor costing ₹1,994 crore. This 83-km stretch includes nine flyovers, 19 major bridges, and several underpasses aimed at decongesting traffic and making the journey safer.

For instance, the Kurnool-Mandlem stretch of NH-340C was improved with paved shoulders and other necessary bridge infrastructure at a total cost of ₹858 crore.

Of these, foundation stones for 27 new highway projects were laid for improving road connectivity to major economic, religious, and tourism sites, including the Sri City industrial zone, Krishnapatnam Port, and Tirupati Airport.

At the event, Gadkari let out the synonyms for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision that has turned into action for black-spot removal, decongesting urban Tirupati, Nellore, and Rayachoty, as well as expanding rural and tribal connectivity. Improved road infrastructure, as per Gadkari, plays an important part in bringing down logistics cost from 16% to 10% of GDP-with vision and efforts to pull down to 9% by the end of 2025.

“This drop in logistics costs is expected to double exports and create huge employment opportunities across sectors,” Gadkari argued, indicating the ongoing thrust of the government on infrastructure-led growth.

Such highways are destined to set the track for quicker access to the economic corridors, reduction in travel times, and safety across Andhra Pradesh’s important transport axes.