ANDHRA PRADESH: Nitin Gadkari added that an allocation of Rs 1,346.81 crore has been approved for the 4-laning of National Highway-716 section that runs from the Tamil Nadu-Andhra Pradesh border to Puttur. This 20 km project in Andhra Pradesh involves upgrading it to a 4-lane configuration. In addition, the project will take up the widening of the existing 4-lane stretch from Mallavaram junction to Renigunta junction (17.40 Km) on NH-71 to a 6-lane highway in the districts of Chittoor and Tirupati under package-2.

The minister said this development aims to transform the specified stretch into a fully access-controlled corridor, playing a crucial role in linking the sacred cities of Tiruttani and Tirupati. The project will be implemented through the Hybrid Annuity Model. Under this model the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) pays 40 per cent of the total project expenditure. This payment is released in 10 equal instalments based on the completion of targeted project milestones. The remaining 60 per cent amount has to be arranged by the road developer.

ARUNACHAL PRADESH: Gadkari said an allocation of Rs 6621.62 crore has been sanctioned for the construction of eight packages on National Highway-913, designated as the Frontier Highway in Arunachal Pradesh. This project spans a total length of 265.49 Km and will be implemented through the engineering procurement and construction (EPC) mode.

The minister said that the project covers the Huri-Taliha section, two packages addressing the Bile-Migging Section, while another two packages involve the construction of the Kharsang-Maio-Gandhigram-Vijaynagar section, and on Bomdila-Nafra-Lada section. The minister said the development of these highway stretches holds promise for enhanced connectivity to border areas, fostering socio-economic growth in the region.

The construction of the Frontier Highway is anticipated to curb migration and facilitate reverse migration towards the border areas of Arunachal Pradesh as development takes place and economic opportunities become available within the region. Additionally, these stretches play a vital role in establishing essential road infrastructure connecting significant river basins, thereby enabling the development of numerous Hydropower projects within the state.

This predominantly greenfield road is designed to link uninhabited and sparsely populated areas of Upper Arunachal, making it conducive to tourism and anticipating a substantial increase in traffic due to heightened tourism activities in the future, the minister added.