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The Union Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, Shri T.R. Baalu today dedicated to the nation the 17 Km long 4-lane Nellore bypass at Nellore, built by the National Highway Authority of India at a cost of Rs.144 crore. The Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways, Sh. K. H. Muniyappa and the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Dr. Rajasekhara Reddy also graced the function.
Speaking on the occasion the Minister said the Government has adopted an innovative financing scheme for highway development projects by encouraging private sector investment and through market borrowing. The Minister stressed the need to have a strong legal and institutional framework to support such mega programmes. “According to a World Bank survey, the golden quadrilateral alone will help reduce transport cost by Rs.8000 crore per year. Compared to the total investment of Rs. 30,000 crore on the Golden Quadrilateral this is a very substantial amount”, he said.
Shri Baalu conveyed to the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister the request of DMK leader Shri M. Karunanidhi for early release of water in the Telugu Ganga canal to provide succour to the water starved people of Chennai.
In his address, the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Rajasekara Reddy said that his Government would abide by its promise on the supply of drinking water to Chennai through Telugu Ganga project and gave the assurance that Telugu Ganga water would reach Chennai before 15th of next month (October).
The Nellore bypass project has been completed within 22 months as against schedule period of 24 months. The bypass will provide great relief to the people of Nellore since, through traffic will no longer be passing through the town.
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