Vijayawada–Hyderabad NH-65 To Be Six-Laned Over 226 Km Stretch, DPR Likely By August End

Along the Vijayawada–Hyderabad corridor, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has revised its earlier stance and agreed to take up the extension of the six-laning project on NH-65 up to the Vijayawada West Bypass near Gollapudi, Times of India reported.

The stretch was previously planned to end at the Amaravati Outer Ring Road (ORR) alignment.

The revised plan was confirmed in a letter from Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, to Vijayawada MP Kesineni Sivanath (Chinni).

The minister noted that the six-laning will now span from KM 40 near the Hyderabad Regional Ring Road to KM 266 at the Vijayawada West Bypass, a total of 226 km, as opposed to the previously proposed 198 km.

Gadkari acknowledged that the initial decision aimed to limit land acquisition.

However, a stakeholder meeting chaired by Chinni on 13 June had stressed on the need for extending the six-laning of highway.

"Accordingly, the DPR consultant has been directed to prepare the alignment and DPR for the entire stretch," Gadkari stated, quoting Chinni’s letter to him on 19 June.

According to NHAI Andhra Pradesh regional manager RK Singh, the Detailed Project Report (DPR) is expected to be ready by the end of August.

“Once the DPR is received, it would be sent to the NHAI Delhi office following which tenders will be floated and widening works will commence,” he was quoted as saying by ToI.

The extended six-lane upgrade is expected to significantly cut down travel time between the twin capitals of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

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