Andhra Pradesh Plans Coastal Highway and Logistics Hub in Tarluwada

The government of Andhra Pradesh (AP) has unveiled plans to construct a dedicated coastal highway connecting key infrastructure sites, including the Vizag port and the proposed Bhogapuram international airport. The ₹6,300 crore project aims to improve regional connectivity by linking Rushikonda, Bheemili, and the Vizag port container terminal to National Highway 16 (NH-16) near Bhogapuram.

The state has submitted a proposal to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for the construction of a six-lane coastal highway. Although the project has not yet been included in any central government schemes, a detailed project report (DPR) is currently being prepared. In a recent review meeting in Visakhapatnam, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu emphasized the importance of the project in enhancing infrastructure connectivity.

As part of the initiative, the state government has committed to covering the ₹1,200 crore cost of acquiring land for the highway. It has also requested the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and NHAI to contribute the remaining funding. In addition, the state will allocate 157 acres of land in Tarluwada for the development of a multi-modal logistics park (MMLP). The MMLP will serve as a key hub for the efficient movement of goods, connecting the Vizag port, Bhogapuram airport, and surrounding industrial areas.

The total estimated cost of the project is ₹6,289 crore, which includes ₹4,315 crore for land acquisition and ₹1,974 crore for civil construction. The new coastal route will not only improve access to social infrastructure, tourism sites, and national highways but will also boost regional economic activity.

The DPR will focus on identifying potential areas for tourism development, logistics centers, and service sectors such as healthcare, education, and travel. It will also encourage the growth of IT parks, port-based industries, and urban infrastructure along the corridor. In addition to these developments, government-owned properties along the route between Vizag and Bhogapuram will be transformed into public spaces, featuring amenities like food courts, recreational areas, and beach resorts, creating new economic opportunities for the region.