Laying new roads hits forest hurdle

Tirupati: Laying of state and national highways is getting delayed in Chittoor district for the last 2 years as the Ministry of Environment of Forests (MoEF) has failed to give its nod. The Central government had sanctioned a six-lane express highway which passes through three states--Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh--covering 400 km. The highway connects Chennai and Bengaluru via Chittoor city.

• Impact on industrial growth due to delay in completion of highway roads
• Roads will be convenient for employees working in Chennai and Bengaluru to visit their native places

Both neighbouring states have completed land acquisition. But, acquiring land in the home district of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is going at a snail’s pace since 2016. The land acquisition works for National Highway 4 connecting Chennai-Chittoor-Bengaluru was completed from Tamil Nadu border to Nalagampalli.

Permission needed from the MoEF for laying road through Nalagampalli forest. Likewise, land acquisition completed from Karnataka border to Alekuppam. The forest clearance should be given by MoEF for laying highway in forest at Alekuppam. Except MoEF clearance, all other works are going on smoothly.

Meanwhile, the R&B officials have approved new alignment for expansion of Chittoor-Naidupet, Chittoor-Tirupati and Tirupati-Naidupet routes. Accordingly, new alignment for state highway Madanapalle-Tirupati was also completed by the R & B department.

Once new national and state highways become operational, it is easy to export agriculture goods to Chennai and Bengaluru cities from the district. At the same time, it will be convenient for employees working in both cities to visit native villages and towns in the district.

The new road network will also be useful for Yerpedu-Chennai-Visakhapatnam industrial corridor. District Collector PS Pradyumna has brought the issue to the notice of the Chief Minister in the Collectors’ conference at Vijayawada.

By K Nethaji