Gadkari inaugurates 29 highway projects worth ₹5,233 crore in Andhra

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Saturday inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 29 National Highway projects covering 272 km with an investment of over ₹5,233 crore in Mangalagiri, Andhra Pradesh. The event was attended by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Union Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Bhupathi Raju Srinivasa Varma, Pawan Kalyan, Union MoS Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, MPs, MLAs, and senior officials.

Addressing the gathering, Gadkari said, “Aligned with the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, these projects are designed to eliminate accident-prone black spots and railway crossings, reduce transportation costs, strengthen last-mile connectivity in rural and tribal areas, and decongest key urban centres such as Tirupati, Nellore, and Rayachoty—thereby positioning Andhra Pradesh at the forefront of India’s growth story.”

Gadkari said improved road infrastructure has helped reduce India’s logistics cost from 16% to 10% and is expected to reach 9% by December 2025. He said this would help double exports and create more jobs. He added that National Highways under NHAI have increased by 120% from 4,000 km in 2014 to 8,700 km in 2025.

Among the projects, the Madanapalle to Pileru stretch of NH-71 has been developed into a 4-lane corridor of 56 km at a cost of ₹1,994 crore, with 9 flyovers, a rail overbridge, 19 major bridges, 5 vehicular underpasses, and 10 local underpasses. The Kurnool to Mandlem section of NH-340C has been upgraded to a 4-lane road with paved shoulders over 31 km at a cost of ₹858 crore and includes one flyover, 4 viaducts, 3 local underpasses, and a minor underpass.

Foundation stones were also laid for 27 more projects aimed at improving access to religious and tourist sites like Tirupati, Srisailam, Kadiri, Horsley Hills, and Vodarevu Beach. The projects will enhance links to economic hubs, including Sri City, Krishnapatnam Port, and Tirupati Airport.