CII Summit in Vizag: World-class roads crucial for India’s economic progress, says Gadkari

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Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari addressing a session at the 31st CII Partnership Summit in Visakhapatnam on Friday. | Photo Credit: V. RAJU

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Friday asserted that world-class road infrastructure is the foundation for India’s economic progress, and particularly for the holistic development of Andhra Pradesh.

Mr. Gadkari delivered the keynote address at a session on the theme ‘Roads to Viksit Bharat: Highways, Logistics, Andhra Pradesh Growth Corridor” on the second day of the 31st CII Partnership Summit here.

He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the highest priority was being given to building the nation’s infrastructure.

On the road development projects in Andhra Pradesh, Mr. Gadkari said the ​1,100 km Surat–Chennai Expressway, being built at a cost of ₹45,000 crore, will pass through Kadapa, Annamayya, and Tirupati districts. The National Highway network in Andhra Pradesh, which was 4,100 km in 2014, was doubled to 8,700 km by 2026, he said.

​Out of the total ₹3 lakh crore worth of projects undertaken in the State, works spanning 4,750 km have already been completed at a cost of ₹60,000 crore. Currently, works covering 2,500 km are underway at a cost of ₹1 lakh crore, and projects spanning another 4,600 km worth ₹1.20 lakh crore will commence soon, he said.

Mr. Gadkari described corridors, ports, and bypasses as the three main pillars for the development of Andhra Pradesh. The corridors that will pass through the State include Bengaluru–Kadapa–Vijayawada, ​Raipur–Visakhapatnam Corridor, ​Hyderabad–Vijayawada–Machilipatnam (6-Lane Expansion) and ​Kharagpur–Visakhapatnam–Amaravati Corridor.

Referring to port connectivity, the Union Minister said projects worth thousands of crores are being undertaken to link Visakhapatnam, Gangavaram, Kakinada, Machilipatnam, and Krishnapatnam ports with National Highways.

Proposed at a cost of ₹32,000 crore, the 195-km Amaravati Outer Ring Road (ORR) project, connecting NTR, Krishna, Guntur, and Palnadu districts, will soon get the Cabinet’s approval. Alongside this, bypass roads are being constructed in Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Narasaraopet, Paderu, Mantralayam, and other regions, he said.

Speaking at the session, Andhra Pradesh Roads and Buildings Minister B.C. Janardhan Reddy said that with its strategic geographical location, 1,053-km long coastline, six operational ports, expanding airport connectivity, industrial corridors, and a rapidly growing infrastructure network, Andhra Pradesh offered immense opportunities for investment.

​The Minister affirmed that the State government was committed to providing world-class infrastructure, seamless connectivity, fast-track clearances, and a business-friendly environment. He assured investors that once an investment enters Andhra Pradesh, the government will extend all support so they can operate freely and rapidly without any concerns.

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