GIS 2023: Nitin Gadkari approves Vizag port highway worth Rs 6,300 cr

Visakhapatnam: The first day of the Global Investors Summit 2023 (GIS 2023) being held here was attended by Union minister of road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari. The minister said they are approving the 55-km six-lane Vizag Port Highway on NH-16 near Bhogapuram at a cost of Rs. 6,300 crores.

This proposed beachfront road connects Visakhapatnam port container terminal with NH-16 at Bhogapuram via Rushikonda and Bheemili. This coastal highway is also expected to enable radical connectivity of the main road with the nearest location, tourism spots, and industrial area.

The Union minister said the Government of India supports the development of Andhra Pradesh.

Speaking at the Summit, the minister said Andhra Pradesh is one of the country’s important states, and the government’s mission is to make India Atma Nirbhar Bharat. Over the past eight and a half years (2014–23), there has been a significant increase in the length of NHs in Andhra Pradesh, to connect India with world-class highway infrastructure. The length has expanded from 4,193 km to 8,744 km and there are currently 70 projects underway, totalling 2,014 km and costing Rs. 33,540 crores.

The Union minister said efforts are also being made to establish five green highways and two expressways at a total cost of Rs. 32,430 crores. During 2022–23, works costing Rs. 7.15,400 crores were awarded (777 km across 27 projects). Additionally, two multimodal logistics parks (MMLPs) have been sanctioned in Visakhapatnam and Anantapur at a cost of Rs. 31,797 crores. These MMLPs will serve as a key hub for centralising freight cargo consolidation in the region. “By the end of 2024, we will complete the works, and then Visakhapatnam–Raipur would take only five and a half hours by road,” the minister added.

As per Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to promote sustainable practices, the Union minister said they are moving towards swadeshi manufacturing, which prioritises safety, recyclability, and sustainability. “Our goal is to create opportunities for green energy and a green economy in the mobility sector,” he added.

Exhibition Pavilion

Later, the Union minister along with chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy visited the exhibition pavilion, which had a display of private and public sector investment in various categories across Andhra Pradesh. The pavilion displayed eight key sectors through interactive AV-based theme design. ODOP pavilion showcasing the different handicrafts and handwoven products, HAL displaying the prototype of latest LCA and jet planes under public sector; private sector display was by KIA India, Sri City, Cadbury, Vodafone, Partner country pavilion from UK, Japan, EU Chamber of commerce.

Over 135 exhibitors will participate in the display on the two days of the Summit.