Nitin Gadkari Announces $9.63 Billion Highway Project to Boost Transport in Visakhapatnam, Andra Pradesh

In what could be seen as an important leap toward infrastructural development in Andhra Pradesh, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari announced a Rs 9.63 billion highway project in the Visakhapatnam district of the state. This six-lane highway will connect major national highways to enhance logistics support between destinations and reduce vehicular congestion, thereby improving connectivity with vital Visakhapatnam Port.

The highway stretches from NH-16 between Anakapalli and Anandapuram, connecting NH-516C at Sheelanagar Junction, over a total length of 12.66 km. Beginning at Sabbavaram village, the road will end near the GAIL office at Sheelanagar Junction, defining its role in facilitating logistics in the region.

The main objective of this project is to ensure smooth and unrestricted movement of traffic, mainly trucks, and cargo vehicles headed to the port. It will provide a special corridor for heavy vehicles, relieving the burden on local roads and segregating the traffic between Sheelanagar and Anandapuram thereby easing congestion in the area.

This new highway is expected to greatly facilitate goods movement, improve shipping operations, and ensure better connectivity for commercial and local traffic. With a focus on efficient transport linkages, it is seen to act as a catalyst in the development of Visakhapatnam as a growing port city.

This road project is aligned with the government’s broader strategy of developing key transportation corridors to induce economic development and make Visakhapatnam more accessible as a hub for trade and logistics.