Mangalagiri, India, August 3: India’s road connectivity in Andhra Pradesh will surpass that of the United States within two years, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said on Saturday, as he launched major infrastructure projects in the southern state.
Gadkari sanctioned new road projects worth ₹27,000 crore (approx. $3.2 billion) and laid the foundation stone for 27 national highway works totalling 272 kilometres, with a cumulative investment of ₹5,233 crore. The ceremony, held in Mangalagiri, was attended by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan, and other senior leaders.
These projects are designed to eliminate accident-prone black spots and railway crossings, reduce transportation costs, strengthen last-mile connectivity in rural and tribal areas, and decongest key urban centres, Gadkari said, adding that the developments align with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s infrastructure vision.
Two completed projects were officially inaugurated – the Madanapalle-Pileru section of NH-71, expanded into a four-lane 56 km stretch with nine flyovers and 19 bridges at a cost of ₹1,994 crore, and the 31 km Kurnool–Mandlem segment of NH-340C, widened for ₹858 crore.
Gadkari also gave in-principle approval for additional projects worth ₹1 lakh crore and greenlit several new highway expansions, including the six-laning of the Vijayawada–Hyderabad (₹6,700 crore) and Vijayawada–Machilipatnam (₹2,600 crore) corridors. Other upgrades include four-lane expansions of Vinukonda–Guntur (₹2,605 crore), Guntur–Nizampatnam (₹2,000 crore), and Bugga Kaipa–Giddaluru (₹4,200 crore).
Addressing future mobility, Gadkari called on the state to promote green hydrogen as a clean fuel alternative. “Hydrogen is our future, and Andhra Pradesh is already pioneering the use of green hydrogen,” he said. He also predicted that India’s logistics cost would drop below 10% of GDP by December, improving competitiveness against China and the U.S.
Chief Minister Naidu pledged full state support for the road expansion drive. “There will be no land acquisition issues… You just guide us, and we will complete the work – that’s my commitment,” he said.
Deputy CM Kalyan emphasized the government’s focus on uplifting tribal and rural areas. “Our goal is to build agency areas which have proper roads, healthcare and connectivity,” he stated.
Gadkari highlighted the dual impact of improved connectivity and sustainable mobility, saying they would not only boost economic hubs and tourism zones but also support employment and revenue through the automobile sector.
The infrastructure push is seen as a strategic effort to place Andhra Pradesh at the forefront of India’s growth and development, with an emphasis on economic integration, safety, and future-ready mobility solutions.
