Nellore: Although the entire National Highway from Kolkata to Chennai is being converted to six-lane to accommodate rising traffic, the 110 km stretch between Nellore and Tada will remain a four lane for a longtime to come, probably till 2031, according to officials of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). This is due to a 30 year-agreement entered with Swarna Tollway in the year 2001. The project was implemented through a special purpose vehicle, Swarna Tollways. Four Malaysian companies, including I.J.M. Corporation, CIDBI, WCT Berhad and Bhumi Highways were involved. The Union government as well as NHAI is in a fix over the agreement even as the six-lane work between Srikakulam and Nellore is nearing completion.
If the government wants to call tenders for the conversion of six-lane road they have to make an advance payment of toll charges for 15 years after deducting maintenance charges to settle with Swarna Tollways. The other option is NHAI should call tenders and ask Swarna Tollways whether it can execute the work for the lowest tender quoted. But nothing can be done if the contractor moves the court, a senior NHAI official said.
According to information, Swarna Tollway has been earning a toll fee of Rs 11-12 crore per month from the three toll plazas located in Venkatachalam, Budanam and Sullurpeta as of now. The NHA invited Swarna Tollway to come forward to execute the six-lane work recently in view of the six lane work nearing completion in other parts of the state. Further, there is a spurt in movement of heavy vehicle from Krishnapatnam Port. However, the company has not shown any interest in the proposal.
“Even if a deal is struck, it will take not less than five years to start the work since modalities pertaining to toll payment for the balance period have to be worked out besides land acquisition for the six lane extension. Nellore-Tada four-lane highway was the first project under the Golden Quadrilateral Project in the country and no one thought about future issues such as six lane highway at the time of signing the agreement,” an NHAI official said. Project Director, NHAI, A.B. Rao, said a six-lane highway from Nellore to Tada will cost almost Rs 2,500.
