Centre fast-tracks Amaravati-Hyderabad Expressway

By DASI PURNA KARTHIK

On 09 Apr 2025 15:46:42

Centre fast-tracks Amaravati-Hyderabad Expressway

• Focus on AP-Telangana pending issues

The Central Government has accelerated efforts to resolve pending provisions of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, with a renewed push to construct the much-anticipated Amaravati-Hyderabad Greenfield Expressway. The Union Home Ministry has directed the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to begin swift preparation of a comprehensive project report for the expressway.

This move, part of a broader strategy to address unresolved matters between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, includes fast-tracked approvals for the Amaravati Ring Road and the northern segment of Hyderabad’s Regional Ring Road. These key infrastructure decisions were taken during a high-level meeting chaired by the Union Home Secretary on February 3, which saw the participation of top officials from multiple central ministries and both state governments.

The meeting reviewed several critical issues, ranging from the division of institutions and corporations listed under Schedules 9 and 10 of the Act, foreign-aided projects, debt sharing, to infrastructure in roads, railways, and education. Both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana chief secretaries made detailed presentations highlighting outstanding matters.

Following deliberations, the Centre announced that such review meetings would now be held every two months to ensure timely resolution. As part of this ongoing coordination, the Amaravati-Hyderabad Greenfield Expressway project will move forward with urgency, Home Ministry officials confirmed.

The Centre is also pushing forward with multiple large-scale projects in Andhra Pradesh. The Visakhapatnam Special Railway Zone is expected to begin operations within two years, the Railway Board announced. Plans are underway to explore the viability of a new refinery in the State, complementing the previously approved greenfield refinery and petrochemical complex.

Port development also saw movement, with the Ministry of Ports revealing that an interim report on the Duggarajapatnam Port is in, and the final project report is expected shortly.

The Finance and Agriculture Ministries have begun the process of releasing Rs 350 crore pending grants for backward districts in AP. The Centre has also ordered the division of assets belonging to 53 corporations listed in Schedule 9, pending a High Court stay on the division of financial institutions.

Further, the Home Ministry has agreed to AP’s request for orders on 12 institutions not governed by existing laws. Legal opinions from the attorney general will be sought before proceeding with divisions where judicial implications exist.

The CAG will be approached to clarify fund allocations under centrally sponsored schemes during the united Andhra Pradesh era, and also to expedite Telangana’s reimbursement for managing joint institutions post-bifurcation.

The Union Urban Development Ministry is evaluating proposals for Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam Metro Rail projects. Meanwhile, the Airport Authority of India stated that international operations have commenced from both cities, with expansion work underway.

The Centre has also directed swift action on the Amaravati-Anantapur Expressway. A 6-lane, 70-metre wide Amaravati Ring Road is in final planning stages, with Union Cabinet approval expected within four months. Railway connectivity to Amaravati via Errupalem, Namburu and other segments is progressing steadily.

In Telangana, expansion work on the Hyderabad-Vijayawada National Highway and the Hyderabad Outer Ring Road-Manneguda corridor has begun. A railway coach factory at Khajipet is also set to begin production by December this year.

The Polavaram irrigation project, along with the establishment of central educational institutions and a Greyhounds centre in Andhra Pradesh, will be taken up in the next review meeting. Union officials confirmed that these meetings will now be held bi-monthly, ensuring steady progress on all fronts related to the bifurcation.