Prime Minister virtually to lay foundation for widening Rayalaseema Highway in Walajah

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually lay the foundation stone for the ₹893-crore widening of the remaining portion of Rayalaseema Express Highway (NH 40), which lies within Sholingur and Walajah in Ranipet, on Sunday.

Officials of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), who will execute the work, said that at present, the entire widening work of the stretch in Andhra Pradesh (AP) has been completed.

The remaining work, which lies within Tamil Nadu limits, will be commenced once the foundation is laid. “The existing two-lane stretch will be converted into a four-lane stretch to enable more vehicles to use it. The entire work will be completed in 2026,” a NHAI official told The Hindu.

Tucked between the existing Chennai - Bengaluru Highway (NH 44) and the dry Palar river, the stretch will connect Kurnool (AP) with Walajah in Ranipet, allowing travellers to reach key places such as Kadapa, Chittoor, Katpadi, Sholingur and Ranipet much quicker, covering 411 km by road.

Of the total 411 km, only 28 km, which lies within Tamil Nadu, have to be widened on the stretch. Once the foundation stone is laid, widening work will commence. As per plan, the existing two-lane stretch between Mutharasikuppam village near Sholinghur on TN-A.P border and Walajah will be converted to a four-lane route with at least 35-metre-wide, which is enough for six vehicles to use on both sides. “The stretch remains dangerous, especially at night due to narrow road space and lack of safety features including pedestrian crossing, adequate street lights and reflectors,” said B. Parasuram, a motorist.

NHAI officials said the widened stretch will be safer as the stretch will get at least 23 vehicular subways to ensure safe passage for pedestrians and two-wheelers, especially at night. New underpasses will also help dairy farmers to take their cattle for grazing safely. It assumes importance as the stretch will navigate through 16 farming villages. Around 1,400 LED street lights and 20 high-mast lamps will be installed for better lighting facilities. Widened stormwater drains, rainwater harvesting systems and culverts to prevent inundation of the carriageway will also come up.

In terms of vehicle usage, currently around 14,000 vehicles use the stretch every day. Once it is widened, the total number of vehicles that will use the stretch will be doubled. Also, the stretch will provide an alternative route for long-distance travellers to key cities such as Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam and Hyderabad, NHAI officials said.