AP seeks speedy approval for Kuppam – Bengaluru–Chennai industrial corridor, NH upgrades from Centre

Minister for IT & HRD, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Nara Lokesh, meets Union Road Transport & Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi on Monday
| Photo Credit:
ANI

Andhra Pradesh Government on Monday requested the Centre to expedite approvals for the Kuppam-Bengaluru-Chennai industrial corridor and other major highway expansion projects in the State. 

Nara Lokesh, Minister for IT & HRD, Government of Andhra Pradesh, raised the matter in his meeting with Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Nitin Gadkari, in Delhi on Monday. 

The proposed 56-km-long Kuppam–Hosur–Bengaluru Greenfield highway would entail an investment of ₹3,000 crore. The project would be a game-changer for the growth and development of the region in particular and the State in general, Lokesh told the Union Minister.

He also sought an early approval and direct linkage to the Bengaluru–Chennai Expressway (NE-7) and immediate widening of NH-65 (Kanuru–Machilipatnam, 59.8 km).

On urban infrastructure, the Minister reiterated the State’s request for integrated double-decker flyovers with metro corridors along NH-16, including a 20km elevated corridor in Visakhapatnam and a 4.7km stretch in Vijayawada, inspired by Nagpur’s successful urban design. He also requested support for the 50km Vijayawada Eastern Bypass to ease city traffic congestion.

DIASPORA

In his meeting with Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Lokesh urged the Centre’s support to promote stronger diaspora engagement, skills mobility, and responsible migration, positioning Andhra Pradesh as a frontrunner in India’s global workforce vision.

Andhra Pradesh has a vibrant diaspora of over 3.5 million spread across 130 countries, including one million in the US, 800,000 in Gulf nations, and 400,000 in Europe. Telugu people in the US had a per capita income of $126,000, far surpassing the American average of $70,000, which underscores their global success, the Minister said.

Published on August 18, 2025