VIJAYAWADA: The State government, which quite often says that AP’s long sea coast is its best source for development, has proposed to construct a six-lane road adjacent to the Bay of Bengal from Ichapuram in Srikakulam district to Tada in Nellore district. The government expects the beach road, besides providing connectivity to the ports, will emerge as a major tourist attraction.
The State government will appeal to the Centre to include the project in the Bharatmala scheme under which the Centre will extend funding assistance to the State after considering the proposal.Officials say that the coastal corridor road will cover Ichchapuram, Bhogapuram, Bheemili, Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Narsapur, Nizampatnam, Ongole, Ramayapatnam and Dugarajapatnam enroute Tada.
Roads and Buildings Minister Ch Ayyanna Patrudu said that the beach road would connect all ports along the coastline and would help achieve industrial growth. Asserting that the road will come in handy in improving the connectivity and mobility, he said that it will also generate substantial employment and promote tourism.
Stating that Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is keen on starting the works of the proposed coastal road as soon as possible, the minister said the State government had decided to develop the road from Bhogapuram to Visakhapatnam on its own. “As the works of the International airport in Bhogapuram are going to start, we are taking up beach road works from Bhogapuram to Visakhapatnam at an estimated cost of `190 crore. It will be completed at the earliest,” said Ayyanna Patrudu.