The Union government has informed Parliament that the six-laning of the Raipur–Visakhapatnam section of National Highway 130CD in Andhra Pradesh is nearing completion, with only a minor portion pending. Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Jairam Gadkari provided a written update in the Rajya Sabha, highlighting that 24.025 km out of the total 24.30 km under Package-2 has already been completed.
Package-2 covers the Jakkuva and Korlam sections of NH-130CD, spanning from kilometer 396.800 to 421.100. The project was sanctioned in February 2021 with a total estimated cost of Rs 663.60 crore. Construction began on 31 March 2022 and was initially scheduled to finish by 29 March 2024.
Gadkari cited multiple factors that caused delays in the project timeline. These included shortages in fly ash supply, delays in securing mining permits, land acquisition challenges at the Mentada Interchange, and the relocation of 400 KV power transmission lines. The remaining 0.275 km is pending due to land acquisition issues. Once the necessary land is made available, the Union minister stated that this final stretch could be completed within three months.
Regarding project costs, Gadkari clarified that there has been no overrun except for price escalation adjustments as provided under the contract agreement. The project’s progress reflects significant infrastructure development along the Raipur–Visakhapatnam corridor, which is a key freight and transport route linking Andhra Pradesh with Chhattisgarh and other central Indian states.
The completion of this section will enhance connectivity and traffic flow on NH-130CD, supporting regional trade and logistics. Six-laning of national highways has been a central focus of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, aiming to reduce travel time, improve safety, and accommodate increasing vehicle volumes.
With only a small portion pending land acquisition, authorities expect that the final work can be executed swiftly once the land is available. This project also illustrates the challenges that large-scale highway developments face in India, including land acquisition, environmental clearances, and coordination with other utilities.
