Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, alongside Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and other dignitaries, inaugurated and laid foundation stones for 29 National Highway projects covering 272 km, worth over Rs 5,233 crore, in Mangalagiri, Andhra Pradesh on 02 August, 2025.

 The Madanapalle–Pileru NH-71 stretch has been upgraded to a 4-lane corridor at a cost of Rs 1,994 crore, featuring nine flyovers, 19 major bridges, and multiple underpasses. Similarly, the Kurnool–Mandlem NH-340C section saw a Rs 858-crore upgrade with paved shoulders and key bridges. Foundation stones were laid for 27 more projects, improving access to religious and tourist sites as well as economic hubs including Sri City, Krishnapatnam Port, and Tirupati Airport. 

Minister Gadkari said these projects align with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to remove accident-prone black spots, reduce transportation costs, enhance rural and tribal connectivity, and ease congestion in cities like Tirupati, Nellore, and Rayachoty. He noted that improved road infrastructure has lowered India’s logistics costs from 16 percent to 10 percent, with a target of nine percent by December 2025—expected to double exports and boost employment.