Date:22/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/22/stories/2008112254240400.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Part of NH-5 to be made 6-lane

Staff Reporter

KAKINADA: The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) will develop the NH-5 between Icchapuram and Tada into a six-lane road by 2010 under NH Development Project (NHDP), according to Union Minister of State for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways K.H. Muniyappa.

The Union Government has taken a policy decision to increase private sector participation in the NHDP.

The revised NHDP entails investments to the tune of nearly Rs 2.36 lakh crore with a major chunk allocated for the improvement of Golden Quadrilateral network, including the development of expressways.

Addressing a public meeting after laying the foundation for the construction of approaches to the road over-bridge on the Katthipudi-Pamarru section of NH-214 near Pithapuram on Friday, Mr. Muniyappa said that various projects under NHDP were slated for completion by 2015.

The Government accorded approval for the construction of 1,000 km of expressways under NHDP-VI and ring roads, flyovers and bypass roads in select stretches under Phase-VII.

In response to the request of Minister of State for Defence and Kakinada MP M.M Pallam Raju, he ordered for the expansion of the NH-214 to two-lanes with paved shoulders and to four lanes at a later date on BOT basis.

Mr. Muniyappa lauded Chief Minister Y.S Rajasekhara Reddy for taking up irrigation projects on an unprecedented scale.

Mr. Pallam Raju thanked his Cabinet colleague for ordering a survey of NH-214.