Soon all types of buses in APS RTC will be converted to electric buses – Development of roads to connect Andhra Pradesh with other parts of the country – Study on outer corridor for cities like Rajamahendravaram, Kakinada, Tirupati, Kurnool, Nellore – Chandrababu orders.
RAJA PENTAPATI
AP Bureau Chief
April 8 Bharat News
(Five-Star Rated News Service by Google)
AMARAVATI: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has said that public transport should be affordable and efficient and increasing the use of electric buses is key to achieving this goal. He said that the use of clean fuel will benefit the people by reducing operating costs.
Speaking at a review meeting on roads and highways held at the Secretariat today, the Chief Minister said that the state has already reduced the cost of purchasing electricity by about Rs. 1 per unit through efficient solar power management. He called for more focus on fuel cost optimization to provide better services at a lower cost.
Currently, the operating cost of EV buses is about Rs. 72 per km. He directed the officials to study various models to further reduce the costs. He suggested focusing on key issues like expanding charging infrastructure and standardizing battery systems. He also suggested that all types of buses should be gradually converted to AC electric buses.
In addition, e-cycles should be promoted as a public transport option by creating more awareness among the people.
The Chief Minister directed the officials to ensure the construction of national and state highways to boost economic activities across the state. He stressed on the need to develop roads to connect Andhra Pradesh with other parts of the country, in addition to effectively connecting the ports in the state.
The Chief Minister said that road maintenance should be robust and continuous. Out of the total 45,433 km of roads in the state, about 10,238 km require annual maintenance. He stressed that potholes should be filled immediately to avoid inconvenience to the people. He advised the officials to study national and international best practices in road maintenance and ensure adequate funds are provided for Roads & Buildings (R&B) works.
The Chief Minister highlighted the importance of considering geographical and climatic conditions in the construction and maintenance of roads. He suggested adopting hybrid models like BT or white-topped roads in areas with black soil, especially in Godavari districts. He suggested exploring innovative construction materials in collaboration with universities for the 570 km of canal side roads that are often damaged.
The Chief Minister ordered road repairs in Godavari, Krishna and Guntur districts, keeping in mind the upcoming Godavari Pushkarams. In Godavari region alone, 531 km of roads will be developed at a cost of Rs. 400 crore using SASCI funds. He also directed the officials to write to the Central Government seeking special funds for the Pushkarams on the lines of Kumbh Mela.
The Chief Minister stressed the need to connect all national highways to all major ports as ports are key hubs for economic activities. He said that Andhra Pradesh has strategic importance on the east coast, comparing it with the Gujarat port connectivity model.
He called for the development of East-West corridors to significantly reduce transport costs. As nearly 73 per cent of freight transport is currently carried out by road, it is imperative to reduce road transport costs. He stressed the need to connect ports like Mulapet, Visakhapatnam, Gangavaram, Kakinada, Machilipatnam, Ramayapatnam and Krishnapatnam with the national highway network, including alternative routes connecting neighbouring states.
The Chief Minister said that improved road connectivity would accelerate economic development along the national highway corridors and help Andhra Pradesh emerge as a hub for industrial and horticultural production. He also highlighted the need for ring roads around major cities to expand economic activities.
He mentioned the upcoming key national highway projects like Kharagpur-Amaravati Greenfield Highway, Hyderabad-Srisailam-Dornala Highway, Kalvakurthi-Nandyala Highway. He said that the target is to complete the projects worth Rs. 24,502 crore this year, and it is estimated that about 1,335 km of national highways will be completed within two years.
He also suggested that outer corridor models be studied for cities like Rajahmundry, Kakinada, Tirupati, Kurnool, Nellore. Ministers BC Janardhan Reddy, Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy, Special Chief Secretary of Transport Department Krishna Babu, APSRTC MD Balasubrahmanyam, and officials of the National Highways Agency participated.
. Swarna Andhra Pradesh
