National Highway Network in the State Doubled Since 2014; Greenfield Corridors, Expressways and Port Connectivity Projects to Slash Travel Times and Logistics Costs: Nitin Gadkari
VISAKAPATNAM, NOVEMBER 13, 2026: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari, today addressed the 31st Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Summit in Visakhapatnam, outlining a transformative road infrastructure programme for Andhra Pradesh aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
Speaking on the theme of “Roads as the Foundation of Economic Growth”, he stressed that quality road infrastructure is essential for reducing logistics costs, attracting investment, generating jobs and driving prosperity.
Massive Scale of Development in Andhra Pradesh
Shri Gadkari informed that projects worth approximately ₹3 lakh crore are under implementation or planned in the state. Of these, projects costing ₹60,000 crore covering 4,750 km have already been completed; projects worth ₹1 lakh crore covering 2,500 km are ongoing; and upgrading works of ₹1.20 lakh crore covering 4,600 km are in progress. The national highway network in Andhra Pradesh has nearly doubled—from 4,100 km in 2014 to 8,700 km in 2026.
He highlighted three pillars for the state’s development:
- Greenfield Corridors, access-controlled Highways and Expressways
- Port connectivity
- Ring Roads and Bypasses.
These are being implemented in close consultation with the Government of Andhra Pradesh and are in line with the vision of Chief Minister Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu.
Key Greenfield Corridors and Expressways
- Bengaluru–Kadapa–Vijayawada Corridor (340 km, ₹14,000 crore): 70% complete; targeted for completion by December 2027. Expected to reduce distance by about 210 km and travel time from 12 hours to 4 hours, benefiting cement and mineral industries.
- Raipur–Visakhapatnam Corridor (460 km, ₹16,000 crore): 96% complete; completion targeted in 2027. Travel time to fall from 13 hours to 5 hours. The project will significantly enhance connectivity of Chhattisgarh and Odisha to Visakhapatnam Port (which supports 18-metre draft for large vessels) and passes through Visakhapatnam, Alluri Sitarama Raju, Parvathipuram Manyam and Vizianagaram districts.
- Six-lining of Hyderabad–Vijayawada–Machilipatnam Highway (286 km, ₹12,000 crore): Public-Private Partnership Appraisal Committee approval obtained; awaiting Cabinet clearance. Expected to cut Hyderabad–Vijayawada travel time from 4.5 hours to 2.5 hours.
- Larger National corridors (including segments of Delhi–Mumbai Expressway extensions and north–south connectivity) will also benefit the state, reducing distances between northern and southern India by approximately 300 km in key stretches.
Port Connectivity and Ring Roads
Given Andhra Pradesh’s long coastline and major ports, the Minister emphasised the strategic importance of port-led development (building on the earlier Sagarmala initiative). Key initiatives include the Kharagpur–Visakhapatnam–Amaravati corridor (1,100 km, ₹71,000 crore overall; Andhra Pradesh portion 460 km, ₹30,000 crore), with Detailed Project Report under preparation, providing direct connectivity to Visakhapatnam, Gangavaram, Kakinada and Machilipatnam ports. Multiple dedicated port connectivity roads for Visakhapatnam, Kakinada and Krishnapatnam ports are under construction or in advanced stages.
The Minister informed that, the proposed Amaravati Outer Ring Road (190 km, ₹32,000 crore) has received Public-Private Partnership Appraisal Committee appraisal and awaits Cabinet approval. It will cover parts of NTR, Krishna, Guntur and Palnadu districts, decongest urban centres, and support industrial parks and logistics hubs. Several bypasses (including Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada and others) are also under implementation.
Logistics Costs, Quality and Financing
Shri Gatkari emphasized that improved road quality has already helped bring India’s logistics cost down from around 16% of GDP toward single digits (recent estimates around 9–10%).
The Minister underlined a strong focus on quality, safety and speed, with zero tolerance for poor workmanship, strict enforcement of Defect Liability Periods, and use of technology and social media for monitoring road network. On financing, he noted NHAI’s strong market credibility, with bond issues repeatedly oversubscribed (including seven times within hours in earlier issuances). Innovative models such as Invites, TOT and securitisation are enabling mobilisation of domestic and global capital, including participation by common citizens.
Alternative Fuels and Broader Vision
Shri Gadkari also highlighted the Ministry’s push for alternative fuels Ethanol, Methanol, Biodiesel, Electric vehicles, Compressed Biogas (CBG) and Green Hydrogen to reduce fossil fuel imports, lower pollution and create new income opportunities for farmers. He appreciated Andhra Pradesh’s interest in CBG from biomass and described farmers as not only annadata but also urjadata.
The Minister expressed confidence that the planned infrastructure will position Andhra Pradesh among the strongest economies in the country and reiterated the Government of India’s full commitment to developing world-class road infrastructure in the state.
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