Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu sets target to complete 1,040 km of national highways this year

VIJAYAWADA: Chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu set a target of completing 1,040 km of National Highways (NH) in the current financial year with an outlay of Rs 20,067 crore. In a review meeting with the officials of R&B, NHAI, and the contractors executing works on Monday, Naidu stated that all issues related to land acquisition, forest, and wildlife clearance should be resolved by the end of July.Naidu expressed dissatisfaction with the contractors for the delay in the execution of projects. He emphasised that no road construction should be delayed in the future. Meanwhile, officials informed the chief minister that 770 km of roads were completed during the last fiscal year under NHAI and MoRTH with an investment outlay of Rs 11,325 crore.The state has a total of 8,744 km of roads, including 4,406 km of NHAI roads, 641 km under PIU-MoRTH, and 3,697 km under NH(R&B). Currently, 3,483 km of roads are under construction across 144 projects under NHAI and MoRTH with an investment of Rs 76,856 crore. Some projects are set to begin soon, including 1,392 km under NHAI and 2,091 km under MoRTH.As part of the ‘Mission Pothole-Free Roads’ initiative launched by the chief minister in November last year with Rs 860.81 crore, officials explained that 97% of the work was completed as of June 6. They stated that potholes have been filled, and repairs completed on 19,475 km of roads. Officials mentioned that the remaining road repairs are expected to be completed by July 31.