The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the construction of a new 108.134-kilometre-long Badvel-Nellore Corridor in Andhra Pradesh, with an estimated cost of ₹3,653.10 crore. This major infrastructure project is set to enhance connectivity and boost economic activity in the region.
Key Features of the Badvel-Nellore Corridor:
- Strategic Route:
The new four-lane corridor will start from Gopavaram Village on the existing National Highway (NH) 67 in YSR Kadapa district and terminate at the Krishnapatnam Port Junction on NH-16 (Chennai-Kolkata) in SPSR Nellore district. - Connectivity to Krishnapatnam Port:
The corridor aims to improve access to the Krishnapatnam Port, identified as a priority node under the Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (CBIC), boosting trade and logistics. - Reduced Travel Time:
Travel distance to Krishnapatnam Port will be shortened by nearly 34 kilometres, reducing from 142 km to 108.13 km, which is expected to cut travel time by approximately one hour compared to the current Badvel-Nellore road. - Industrial Corridor Integration:
The corridor will facilitate better access to key industrial hubs in Andhra Pradesh, including the Kopparthy Node on the Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor (VCIC), Orvakal Node on Hyderabad-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (HBIC), and Krishnapatnam Node on the CBIC. - Employment Generation:
The Centre estimates the project will create about 20 lakh man-days of direct employment and 23 lakh man-days of indirect employment, contributing significantly to local economic development.
This project aligns with the government’s efforts to strengthen infrastructure, promote industrial growth, and enhance regional connectivity, thereby fostering economic progress in Andhra Pradesh.
Sources B Agencies