The objective of the MORTH’s Project Financing Facility is to support the projects for improving Andhra Pradesh State’s connectivity of the current rural interior and achieving a larger coverage of the National Highway and State Highway. The loan from the MORTH will be on – lent to the Government of Andhra Pradesh for upgrading the State’s Major District Roads, with construction of associated bridges and railway-overhead – bridges. Not less than 2,000 Km of Major District Roads in Andhra Pradesh will be upgraded to intermediate lane width, with 5.5 m wide carriageway. These roads will have the well – functioning conditions for all – weather access. Standard signage, pedestrian crossings and other safety features will be designed. Travel time is estimated to be reduced by 25%.

The government of India has embarked/ boarded upon the “Ministry of Road Transport and Highways” (MORTH)’s to develop several National Highways in India. MORTH has been entrusted with the assignment of Preparation of Feasibility Study and Detailed Project Report for Araku (Bhalluguda) to Bowdara Section (NH – 516 E).

M/ s. L. N. Malviya Infra Projects Pvt. Ltd., Bhopal was awarded the Consultancy Services of the above assignment through competitive bidding. The Consultancy Contract Agreement has been signed on 31.03.2021, with Letter No.: RO/ VJA/ Annual Plan/ 2020 – 2021/ 1 Dated 31.03.2021. Two Lane with Paved Shoulder Configuration of Araku (Bhalluguda) to Bowdara Section of NH – 516 E in the State of Andhra Pradesh. The Projected Road Araku to Bowdara Junction (NH – 516 E) Starts near Araku Town (@ Chainage 51.772 of NH – 516 E) with Coordinates (705027.84 m E, 2022824.31 m N) and Ends near Kasipatnam (@ Chainage 92.739 of NH – 516 E) with Coordinates (724508.43 m E, 2013359.67 m N). The Existing Length of the Project Road is 42.015 Km and Design Length of Road is 40.967 Km. The proposed road sections are part of the Major District Road, Other District Road and State Highway Network on Andhra Pradesh. The existing road sections are mostly single lane district roads with carriageway width vary from 3.0 m to 7.0 m with earthen shoulders. Formation width varies from 5.0 m to 9.0 m. The sub project roads run through plain, rolling and hilly terrain and passing across several agricultural land, villages, and towns. The existing pavement is bituminous in most of the road section, but CC pavement can also be found in few sections. The overall riding quality is poor. The condition of shoulders is also poor which are now covered with vegetation in many sections. There is no formal drainage system along the roads.

In this report the IEE is reported for the subproject roads falling under Araku (Bhalluguda) to Bowdara Section (NH – 516 E) District. It is proposed to improve these MDRs, ODRs and SH to minimum intermediate lane and two – lane configuration (5.5 m to 7.0 m wide flexible pavement and 2.25 m earthen shoulders). In built – up area/ habitation or in forest sections the improvement will be restricted to the existing ROW. Adequate cross drainage structures have been proposed in all the subprojects (Table 1).

Table 1: Project Road Details
Works Proposed under MORTH Project (Araku (Bhalluguda) to Bowdara Section (NH – 516 E)
Sr. No. Name of the Road Road Code Length in Km
From To Total Length (Km)
1 2 3 4 5 6
1. Two – Lane with Paved Shoulder Configuration of Araku (Bhalluguda) to Bowdara Section of (NH – 516 E). The Existing Total Length 42.015 Km and Design Length of Road is 40.967 Km. Starts near Araku Town (@ Chainage 51.772) and Ends near Kasipatnam (@ Chainage 92.739) in the State of Andhra Pradesh. ——- 51.772 92.739 40.967
Total (Roads under MORTH) = 40.967 Km

The Â鶹ĘÓƵ model is the appropriate strategy employing the collaborative efforts of university participants (lecturers, students, and researchers) and provincial authorities, while university partners interact closely with grassroots communities. An Giang university lecturers, researchers, students, city authorities, and practitioners has used Â鶹ĘÓƵ model to drainage systems and urban flooding in Long Xuyen City. The project aims to map inundated areas in local wards and the city centre of Long Xuyen and to propose initiatives on sustainable drainage and waterlogging management that contribute to the Action Plan on “Smart Water City” and the improved infrastructure of sustainable drainage and waterlogging management in response to climate change by 2025.

Many activities have been conducted within the project. An Giang university lecturers, city partners, and local officials in 8 wards of Long Xuyen city have collaborated effectively to determine the inadequate drainage system in many streets and the lack of complete old and new drainage systems in Long Xuyen City. Although many streets have been elevated to prevent flooding, the problem persists in other streets, especially after excessive rain. Lecturers and students participated in mapping training using GIS software and partnered with personnel in 8 wards to identify 15 inundated street segments in Long Xuyen City.