The greenfield expressway connecting Hyderabad-Amaravati, capital cities of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh respectively, received clearance.
| Photo Credit: Graphics: M. VENKAT RAO
Decks are finally cleared for the much awaited Hyderabad-Amaravati greenfield expressway project, connecting the capital cities of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh respectively. It ends more than 11 year wait since the bifurcation of the erstwhile united Andhra Pradesh.
Directions to prepare DPR
The Ministry of Home Affairs, the nodal agency to resolve the pending bifurcation issues, has directed the Ministry of Roads, Transport and Highways (MoRTH) to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) of the Hyderabad-Amaravati greenfield expressway on Tuesday (April 9, 2025). The development follows the meeting Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan had with heads of departments concerned after the Telangana government made a strong pitch for the implementation of the assurances given in the Andhra Pradesh State Reorganisation Act (APRA), 2014 during a meeting convened by the Ministry of Home Affairs on February 3, 2025.
Schedule XIII on rapid rail and road connectivity between two capitals
The Telangana government has been insisting on the implementation of the assurance given in Schedule XIII of the APRA for the greenfield expressway. “The Central Government shall take measures to establish rapid rail and road connectivity from the new capital of the successor State of Andhra Pradesh (Amaravati) to Hyderabad and other important cities of Telangana,” Schedule XIII of the Act says.
The issue figured in the February 3 meeting yet again and the MoRTH secretary informed that this was a new proposal and therefore, alignment clearance is needed before proceeding further. Mr. Govind Mohan suggested that the Union Ministry could consider initiating the process for detailed project report and also accord in principle approval for the project resulting in the approval by the Union Government.
Telangana wanted expressway up to Machilipatnam
The approval however falls short of the Telangana government’s expectations as Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy is in favour of a greenfield expressway up to Machilipatnam for faster movement of goods to and from Telangana. The Chief Minister discussed the matter with his Andhra Pradesh counterpart N. Chandrababu Naidu during their face-to-face meeting on July 8 last year and explained about Telangana’s plans to set up a dry port in area abutting Hyderabad-Vijayawada highway.
Mr. Naidu too concurred with Mr. Reddy’s views claiming that the improved connectivity between the two capitals would act as a confidence building measure for further strengthening the relations between the two Telugu speaking States. The two States have since held several meetings with the Union Roads, Transport and Highways Ministry seeking early permission for the works.
Published – April 10, 2025 05:32 pm IST
