Decks cleared for land acquisition for iconic Amaravati ORR project
Mega infra project to have link roads, 6-lane expressway, freight corridor, to cost `38K crore
image for illustrative purpose
Vijayawada: The decks are cleared for the commencing land acquisition process for the 189.9 km long Amaravati Outer Ring Road (ORR) project being touted as larger than the Shamshabad ORR in neighbouring Telangana with the Centre issuing the gazette notification.
Land acquisition is required in 97 villages across 23 mandals in five districts in the capital region. The Centre has issued gazette notification for Guntur, Palnadu, Krishna and Eluru in the first instalment. A separate notification for NTR district will be issued next week.
The Joint Collectors of the districts concerned have to initiate receiving objections from the farmers. The revised DPR for the ORR will be placed before the Union Cabinet shortly.
The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) had earlier conducted a detailed study.
A senior official connected with the project told Bizz Buzz that Amaravati ORR is larger than ORR connecting Shamshabad Airport in Hyderabad, which is 158 km long. Amaravati ORR is 189.9 km long. This is being touted as an iconic infrastructure project connecting 'people's capital' at Amaravati with Vijayawada, Guntur and major highways. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who is the chairman of Capital Region Development Authority, is keen on time-bound completion of the proposed access-controlled 6-lane expressway with two service roads connecting the capital region with the Central funding. This is certain to boost realty prices in the area.
The Union Cabinet is expected to accord clearance to the project in March, 2026. The total project cost to be built in 12 packages is estimated at Rs38,000 crore. The ORR is expected to have 212.6 km connected with link roads.
Objections will be sought from the aggrieved farmers from 97 mandals in the affected areas within a stipulated time. The ORR is conceptualised with bypass roads, subways and an elevated freight corridor for hassle-free movement of passenger and freight traffic with reliable connectivity to Hyderabad, Chennai and Bengaluru.
After several twists and turns, the width of ORR is finalised at 140 meters. According to preliminary estimates, the land acquisition itself is expected to cost around Rs5,000 crore.Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari earlier conceded the State Government's request to approve fixing ORR width at 140 meters from 70 meters.
The first phase of ORR is scheduled to be completed in 2028. The Centre agreed to double the width after Chief Minister Naidu convinced that it will be an iconic road connectivity project in India.
