The state government has mandated that all road works spanning both state and national highways must be executed with world-class quality benchmarks and completed within stipulated deadlines.
This directive comes amid renewed urgency to transform the state’s 8,744 km of existing highway network into a model for sustainable and durable road infrastructure. The administration has further committed to rejuvenating 2,683 km of severely degraded roads across the state. With the southwest monsoon looming, the emphasis is on pre-monsoon readiness. The government’s stance signals a sharp shift from reactive maintenance to proactive execution, particularly in the context of weather-related disruptions and economic connectivity challenges in semi-urban and rural belts.
In a high-level infrastructure review held this week, the state’s road and buildings department presented a detailed progress report. It stated that a Rs 860 crore-funded repair mission aimed at eliminating potholes from over 20,000 km of roads has reached completion. This zero-pothole goal reflects a broader push for smoother mobility, road safety, and environmental sustainability. Further strengthening this mission, over 3,500 km of roadwork is in progress under national agencies, backed by a massive investment of Rs 78,295 crore. Looking ahead, the roadmap for FY 2025–26 is even more ambitious. A total of 46 projects covering 1,186 km, valued at Rs 47,788 crore, have been greenlit across state, national highway authority, and central ministry portfolios. In the current financial year, 22 major highway and urban arterial projects spanning 546 km have already been delivered.
However, the commitment to quality and sustainability also extends to human resources. Officials were urged to address the 304 vacant Assistant Engineer positions by mobilising available civil engineers stationed in local administrative bodies. This redeployment strategy is expected to prevent delays caused by staffing shortages, while creating a more responsive project management framework.
This push for infrastructural excellence is deeply tied to broader economic and ecological goals. With India’s cities rapidly expanding, roads that can endure climatic shifts, reduce vehicular emissions through smoother traffic flow, and support equitable urbanisation are a non-negotiable part of sustainable development. Andhra Pradesh’s reimagining of its road strategy includes a focus on green materials, time-bound completion, and seamless integration with smart city goals.
If delivered effectively, these upgrades have the potential to unlock socio-economic growth across hinterlands, improve logistics networks, and set a precedent for other states. The challenge, however, lies in maintaining this momentum, ensuring transparency in project execution, and embedding climate resilience as a core design principle. In a time when infrastructure is central to both equity and efficiency, Andhra Pradesh’s roads may soon symbolise not just progress, but purpose.
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