Gadkari terms AP as a fast-growing state; inaugurates Benz Circle flyover

Vijayawada: Union Minister for Transport Nitin Gadkari today inaugurated the Vijayawada Benz Circle Flyover. He also participated in the inauguration of several road works. Speaking on the occasion, he said that today is an unforgettable day in the history of Andhra Pradesh as the foundation stones of 30 national highway projects have been laid.

He termed AP as a fast-growing state and said that the state was moving in a progressive direction under the leadership of Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy. The agricultural and industrial sectors are vital for Andhra Pradesh and the state was developing significantly in the farm sector.

Gadkari made it clear that the Centre would not discriminate against anyone in matters of development and it would give equal priority to all states. He said Rs 3 lakh crore would be allocated for road development in AP.

It has been revealed that three Greenfield Express Highways are being constructed in AP and the Visakhapatnam-Raipur Greenfield Express Highway will be made available by 2024. Greenfield Express Highways connecting Vijayawada-Nagpur and Bengaluru-Chennai. He said the Chittoor-Thanjavur Express Highway would be completed at a cost of Rs 5,000 crore.

Nitin Gadkari, meanwhile, said that he was already responding to CM Jagan's request for an eastern bypass road to Vijayawada and would immediately approve the Eastern Ring Road. "CM Jagan asked for 20 ROBs, but we are sanctioning 30 ROBs," he said.