Telangana Road Network To Get Rs 14,500cr Boost

Hyderabad: Telangana is poised for a major transformation in road infrastructure with the launch of a Rs 14,500-crore road development programme under the hybrid annuity model (HAM). Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy set to lay the foundation stone for the ambitious initiative at Kanagal in Nalgonda district on June 17. The project, divided into 34 packages, aims to upgrade nearly 6,300 km of roads under phase-1.

Under HAM, the government pays 40 per cent of the project cost during construction in installments.The private developer invests the remaining 60 per cent. The developer maintains the road for 15 years, and the government repays the 60 per cent as annuities (payments) plus interest.

The roads and buildings department plans to develop over 12,000 km of roads. Phase-1 includes widening of stretches that see large volumes of traffic into four lanes such as the Bhongir-Chityal and Hayathnagar routes.

R&B minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy on Saturday said that the Chief Minister would inaugurate the works, an unprecedented road development initiative in the state's history. He said the Chief Minister would arrive at Kanagal on the afternoon of June 17 and launch the first package of HAM roads beginning with the Dharveshipuram-Dindi double-lane road in Kanagal mandal. Simultaneously, foundation stones would be laid for all HAM road projects across Telangana.

The minister said that the government would undertake another Rs 7,000-crore road development programme through the panchayat raj department to construct double roads connecting villages to mandal headquarters and mandals to district centres. The Chief Minister will launch these projects next week in a programme coordinated by the panchayat raj and rural development department.

Venkat Reddy said the government was targeting completion of all HAM roads within two years. He noted that quality road infrastructure was essential for attracting industries, promoting welfare and reducing road accidents. He said the state had held discussions with the Centre over the past year and secured loans through the Reserve Bank mechanism to finance the massive road-building exercise.

Venkat Reddy also stated that a greenfield (new) highway between Hyderabad and Vijayawada had been sanctioned and that a detailed project report for a proposed bullet train corridor alongside the highway was under preparation.

Around one lakh people are expected to attend the Chief Minister's public meeting at Kanagal. The minister directed officials to ensure comprehensive arrangements, including smooth traffic management, drinking water facilities, tents, transportation, parking, lighting, live telecast and other amenities so that the event is conducted successfully without inconvenience to the public. He also instructed officials to expedite construction of the commemorative pylon and appealed to officials, public representatives and citizens to cooperate in making the programme a grand success.