Prior to elections, TDP and its allies have strongly criticized YS Jaganmohan Reddy’s government for completely ignoring maintenance of roads in the state, which resulted in all roads being in the worst condition. Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan even went around the state showing people how roads were in deplorable condition.
Now, Chandrababu Naidu-led government keeping a special focus on roads, has decided henceforth to maintain them on Public Private Partnership (PPP), first time in the state. So far, the National Highways are being formed in this mode. The government has appointed a committee with five members to finalize the process.
The committee will have to submit a report to the government within two months after finalizing its work. To this extent, Kantilal Dande, Principal Secretary, Department of Transport, Roads and Buildings has issued an order. The Roads, Buildings (R&B) Department and AP Road Development Corporation (APRDC) have constituted an expert committee to finalize a 100-day action plan for construction of roads under PPP mode.
In the order, Kantilal Dande said that in a letter sent by the Managing Director, Roads, Buildings (R&B) Chief Engineer of APRDC on September 13, 2024, the government has started a department-wise 100-day action plan. “Approval of PPP system in road construction” is one of the items assigned to the Roads and Buildings Department under the 100-day action plan, the order said.
According to this, the procedure for construction of roads should be approved within 100 days. In the District Collector’s meeting held after CM Chandrababu assumed office, it was decided that the state roads should also be taken up in the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model. CM Chandrababu directed the Ministry of Roads and Buildings to this extent.
Till now, the toll tax, which was limited to national highways, is now being discussed to apply to state highways as well. Motorists say that if the road tax has already increased and is unsustainable, putting toll gates on the state roads and collecting toll tax will be an additional burden. The opposition parties claim that this will put a burden on the people.