Vijayawada:Andhra Pradesh is set for a major infrastructure transformation with road projects worth Rs 7,784 crore currently under implementation, works valued at Rs 30,780 crore in progress and another 79 projects worth Rs 18,000 crore in the pipeline.

This was stated here on Wednesday by roads minister BC Janardhan Reddy.

Addressing the media to highlight the progress of works in the past two years, the minister said, “The government has placed infrastructure development at the centre of its growth strategy and is taking steps to ensure that no major project remains stalled.”

He said the chief minister routinely reviewed the progress of pending railway projects and monitored the progress of various infrastructure initiatives.

Special emphasis is being laid on development works in Visakhapatnam, Krishna and Guntur districts. Road development works worth Rs 750 crore are currently under execution, while special funds have been earmarked to complete 13 unfinished bridges that have remained pending for years, he said.

The minister said Andhra Pradesh is aggressively pursuing infrastructure expansion through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. Six major road projects covering 405km are being taken up at a cost of Rs 2,506 crore.

The government, he said, is committed to improving connectivity to industrial corridors, ports, airports and urban centres to accelerate economic growth.

Highlighting technological interventions, Janardhan Reddy said a digital dashboard system would soon be introduced to identify damaged roads and monitor repair works in real time. Advanced construction technologies are being adopted to improve road quality and durability, enabling roads that previously lasted four years to remain serviceable for seven to eight years.

Contractors are also being made responsible for long-term maintenance, ensuring better accountability and quality standards, he said.

The minister claimed that Andhra Pradesh has emerged as one of the leading states in national highway development. “Thousands of kilometres of national highways are under various stages of construction and expansion. After Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh is witnessing the highest volume of road works in the country,” he said.

He said four new airports, including those proposed at Kuppam, Srikakulam and Amaravati, are being planned to strengthen regional connectivity. Development of ports is also attracting fresh investments and creating a favourable environment for industries.

Criticising the YSR Congress government, Janardhan Reddy alleged that delayed payments and lack of development activity had discouraged contractors from taking up works. He said the government has sanctioned nearly `3,000 crore over the past two years to revive infrastructure projects and restart the pending works.

The minister also said the Godavari Pushkar road works, covering nearly 400km, are being undertaken at a cost of `439 crore. Infrastructure-led development remains the government's key objective for accelerating AP’s economic growth, he claimed.

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