Centre To Develop 2,600 Km Roads In State

Around 2,600 km roads in Telangana are likely to get face-lifts as the Centre has extended its support and financial assistance to the Telangana government upon being requested by Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao.

Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao along with Roads & Buildings Minister Thummala Nageswara Rao and MP B Vinod Kumar today called on Union Surface Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari in Delhi and sought his help for transforming the roads and related infrastructure in the State.

Upon reviewing the request, Gadkari agreed to KCR's appeal for the conversion of roads into National Highways besides extending help for land acquisition at the Military zones in Secunderabad.

During the meeting, the Chief Minister also urged the Union Minister to provide security and other necessary support for taking up road works at the Naxal-infested areas, and also dry port works and other road projects promised after the formation of Telangana.

Thummala Nageswara Rao told the media later that they sought Defense land for the expansion of the Paradise - Bowenpally road into a four-road National Highway and help overcome hurdles in the acquisition of those Defense lands.

Gadkari agreed to the requests of the State government and promised to provide all necessary assistance for the transformation of the roads into National Highways, he said.

Rao also said that the Union minister suggested that the State government submit a report to him after completing the process of acquiring lands.

To add heft to the request, IT Minister K T Rama Rao met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and urged him to release the funds that were pending for two years required for the development of roads at the earliest.

He sought Central help for the expansion of the Yadadri-Warangal highway, expediting Amaravathi, Kothagudem and Jagadalpur highways, construction of a second bridge at Bhadrachalam on Godavari and laying four-lane roads in the new districts.

"We have also sought Rs. 1,290 crores for taking up road works in the areas affected by extremists," KTR said. Besides seeking support for the 2,600 km roads, the Minister also urged the Centre to address the issues mentioned in the AP Reorganization Act.