Road connectivity vital for development: Yanamala

Kakinada: Road connectivity is vital for economic development in the coastal areas, observed Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu. Addressing a public meeting at Yetimoga after laying foundation to third bridge on Uppeteru on Monday, he said that expected development has not taken place in east coast compared to west coast in the country.

The FM observed that east coast possess natural resources and efforts are being made to develop ports particularly in AP coast. As part of this, one major port was cleared near Kakinada at Tondangi. The GMR has been entrusted to develop a total of 14 ports in east coast in the State, he revealed.

As part of development, one HPCL project with an investment of Rs 35,000 crore was also being established at KSEZ area near Kakinada, he said. Apart from this, the minister also said that a four-lane road connecting Chennai-Vizag in coastal corridor with an estimated cost of Rs 1,350 crore with ADB funding was also cleared, he added.

Speaking on third bridge at Kakinada on salt creek, he said the bridge has been sanctioned with a cost of Rs 146 crore. Of this a total of Rs 116 crore was allocated for land acquisition and Rs 30 crore would be spent for construction of bridge, he said. 

He also said that the bridge will connect NH 216 at Kakinada city and helps to ease traffic congestion. Earlier Yanamala laid foundation stone for third bridge construction. Deputy chief minister N Chinarajappa, Collector Kartikeya Mishra, MLC Chikkala Ramachandra Rao,MLA Vanamadi Venkateswara Raoand mayor Sunkara Pavani were present.