The State Government proposes to convert over 6,600 kilometers of roads across the State into the National Highways.
Roads and Buildings Minister Dharmana Prasad Rao on Monday informed the State Legislative Assembly during Question Hour that a total of 25 roads have been proposed to the Government of India for conversion to National Highways. The longest stretches proposed to be converted into National Highway includes 725 kilometers from Sironcha to Reingunta, followed by 630 Kms from Adilabad to Vodarevu; 625 Kms from Nizampatnam to Kodur and 580 Kms from Kodad to Anantapur. Under five different proposals, a total of 6,646.564 Kms would be converted into the National Highways.
The minister said that the criteria for the declaration of new National Highway includes roads which runs through the length and breadth of the country, connecting the National Capital with State Capital and roads connecting mutually the State Capitals. Further, roads connecting major ports, large industrial centres or tourists centres and meeting very important strategic requirements are also proposed to be converted into the National Highways.
Presently, the State has National Highways of 4,730 Kms. They include 1,1814.834 Kms in Andhra, 1,587.766 Kms in Telangana and 1,327.400 Kms in Rayalaseema region. (INN)