Vijayawada: The Union government has sanctioned Rs 6,585 crore to Andhra Pradesh for developing seven national highways to a length of 384 km in the state.Roads and buildings (R&B) minister B.C. Janardhan Reddy disclosed this to media persons here on Thursday. He said that the huge amount has been sanctioned under the National Highways Ordinary Programme.The minister thanked Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu for prevailing upon the centre by holding a series of talks and securing sanction of a huge amount for developing the seven national highways.He also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari.The national highways to be developed include Kondamudu to Pericherla for a distance of 49.9 km; Sangameswaram to Nalla Kaluva and Velugodu in Nandyal district for 62.5 km; Nandyal to Kurnool / Kadapa border covering 62 km; Vempalli to Chagalamarri for 78.95 km; Gorantla to Hindupur for 33.58 km; Muddanuru to B. Kothapalli for 56.5 km and Pendurthi to Bowdara spread over 40.55 km.The R&B minister further announced that the centre has granted an enhanced amount of Rs 500 crore from the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) to upgrade 31 roads of roads and buildings department into national highways. The CRIF used to be Rs 350 crore. But based on the request of the minister, it has been enhanced to Rs 500 crore.Janardhan Reddy said the state government has sanctioned Rs 290 crore for filling up potholes on roads and Rs 186 crore for restoration of roads damaged due to heavy rains and floods.The minister said he and a group of officials are going to visit Gujarat, Assam and other states on September 23 and September 24 to study maintenance of roads through the PPP mode. Following this, they will submit a report to the Chief Minister.
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