Urge NHAI for expediting Gangavaram Port–NH-16 connectivity road
In a push to aggrandize Andhra Pradesh’s overall road infrastructure, Visakhapatnam’s MP Mr M. Sribharat and TDP State President and Gajuwaka MLA Mr Palla Srinivasa Rao met with NHAI Chairman Mr Santhosh Kumar Yadav in New Delhi today to press for the immediate sanction of the Gangavaram Port–NH-16 connectivity road via Tungalam, a long-pending project vital to the region’s growth.
The leaders are said to have expressed serious concern that despite the completion of the Detailed Project Report (DPR), the project had been stalled for years due to the inaction of the previous state government, which failed to move the proposal forward for central approval.
This delay has led to increased urban congestion, frequent logistics bottlenecks, and a slowdown in port-linked economic activity in Visakhapatnam, one of India’s most strategic port cities.
MP Sribharat underscored the national importance of the road, describing it as a critical component of the PM Gati Shakti master plan. “This is not just a local connectivity issue—it’s a strategic priority. With freight volumes at Gangavaram Port expected to more than double, we cannot afford further delay. We urge NHAI to expedite the sanction and begin construction at the earliest,” he said.
Mr Palla Srinivasa Rao echoed these sentiments, noting that the groundwork for the project—alignment planning and approvals—had already been done. “It is time for decisive action. This road is essential to ease pressure on the Gajuwaka corridor and to position Visakhapatnam as a major logistics and industrial hub on the east coast,” he stated.
The proposed new alignment offers a practical and low-displacement route through existing industrial and railway lands, bypassing dense residential zones and ensuring smooth, long-term cargo movement. With daily truck movements expected to rise from 2,500 to over 6,000, the existing infrastructure is insufficient and unsustainable.
In response, NHAI Chairman Mr Yadav acknowledged the importance of the project and assured the delegation that the proposal would be taken up on a priority basis, with sanction expected soon.
