Nitin Gadkari lays foundation stone for 39 National Highways in Andhra Pradesh

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NEW DELHI: Nitin Gadkari, Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Shipping, Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation laid the foundation stone for 39 National Highways project in Andhra Pradesh today. These project include construction of eleven road-over-bridges (ROBs) under ‘Setu Bharatam Programme’.

Gadkari said, “These projects have a length of 1,384kms in the state of Andhra Pradesh and involve investment of Rs 16,878 crores.”

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.

Speaking on the occasion, Gadkari said that the length of national highways in Andhra Pradesh before May 2014 was 4,193km which has now increased to 7,246km (Including In-principal national highways).

The minister also said that a road map has also been developed for increasing Vigaz port capacity to 211 million metric tons per annum (MMTPA) from existing 152 MMTPA by 2025. Eleven port capacity expansion projects costing Rs 2536 crore have also been identified to add 71 MMTPA capacity.

Gadkari 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.

(With inputs from PIB)