Cabinet Approves 6 laning of NH-16 in AP

New Delhi Sept 13: The Union Cabinet headed by PM Modi has taken some crucial decisions yesterday.

* Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs had approved the development of six-laning of the Narasannapeta-Ranastalam section of National Highway–16 (old NH-5) in Andhra Pradesh.

* The cost is estimated to be Rs 1,423 crore

* The total Length of the project is 54 KM

* The road would be constructed by National Highways Development Project (NHDP) Phase V on Hybrid Annuity Mode.

Briefing the decision to media Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has said that "the developing of 6 lanes will benefit major industrial development centers because of better connectivity. He has also said that this national highway will benefit

* APIIC SEZ
* Pydibhimavaram
* Bhogapuram Airport
* Vizag Steel Plant
* Visakhapatnam Port
* Gangavaram Port
* Divi'S Laboratories Limited
* INS Varsha.

* Sources say that a total number of 221,00 man-days employment would be generated.

The National Highway No-16 (Old NH-5) is a very significant highway because it is a part of Golden Quadrilateral, connects Chennai and Kolkata, and passes through Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Visakhapatnam, and Vijayawada.

Finally, the AP Government has thanked the union for granting the approval and said that this would lead to the development of Industrial Corridor and Information Technology Hub in Vizag.