Expansion of Anandapuram to Anakapalle highway on the cards

The expansion of national highway to six lanes will begin in the next few months. The expansion will be taken up from Anandapuram to Anakapalle via NAD (Naval Armament Depot in the city) on the present four-lane highway.

The request for qualification (RFQ) has been called for and the last date for it ends on November 8. Once the RFQs, which include technical bids, are received, they will be short-listed and the request for proposal (RFP) will be called for.

The 58-km stretch that is estimated to cost Rs.738 crore is proposed to be taken up on design, build, finance, operate, and toll (DBFOT) basis.

Along with the expansion, eight flyovers are proposed to be taken up to ease congestion from vehicular traffic,The eight points are Maddilapalem, Satyam Junction, NAD Kotha Road, the Airport, the Port Connectivity Road, Gajuwaka, Steel Plant, and Gangavaram Port.

Besides, it will have 11 vehicle underpasses and three foot over-bridges. The six-lane highway will not have median and, instead, vehicle underpasses or service roads have to be used.