Union minister Nitin Gadkari will inaugurate highway projects worth Rs 1,928.46 crore in Andhra Pradesh on October 3, the road, highways and transport ministry said today.
Gadkari will also lay foundation stone of highway projects involving investment of around Rs 2,540 crore in the state, the ministry said in a release.
The minister will also lay the foundation stone for the development of Muktyala to Vijaywada stretch of Krishna River (National Waterways - 4), it said.
The release said about 415 km of National Highways would be inaugurated by the minister while he will lay the foundation for another 250 km NH.
The projects include rehabilitation and upgradation of existing National Highways, besides construction of a 4-lane bypass to Vijayanagaram Town on NH 43 (New NH 26).
It said as per the agreement with Andhra Pradesh government National Waterways No 4 in Andhra Pradesh is proposed to be developed in three phases - Muktyala to Vijayawada (Krishna River) (82 Km), Vijayawada to Kakinada (Eluru canal & Kakinada canal) and Rajahmundry to Polavaram stretch of Godavari (233 Km) and Commamur Canal, Buckingham canal and balance stretches of Krishna & Godavari Rivers (573km).
Gadkari will lay the foundation stone for Phase- I on October 3.
Work on this phase, that is development of the 82 km from Muktiyala to Vijayawada stretch has already commenced.
The government said dredging began in the shallow areas in May this year, and the work is expected to be complete by June, 2019.
The project is aimed at providing an efficient logistics solution to boost the economic growth of the region and facilitate the development of the capital city Amravati during its early development stage as substantial construction material is expected to be transported on this stretch of NW- 4.
A proposal for Phase-II has been recommended by IWAI board for the Cabinet.
Also, a proposal for formation of Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for implementation of the project is under consideration for the approval of Cabinet. The SPV is expected to be formed by November 2017.
National Waterway No 4 was declared in November, 2008 for a total length of 1078 km. This length was extended to 2890 km by NW Act-2016. NW 4 comprising stretches of River Godavari, River Krishna, Kakinada Canal, Eluru Canal, Commamur Canal, North Buckingham Canal, South Buckingham Canal and kulaluvelly Tank.
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