Naidu pushes AP-Link revamp, sets year-long deadline for pothole-free roads

 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to focus on financially strengthening the Andhra Pradesh Logistics and Infrastructure Corporation (AP-Link) to facilitate large-scale development activities across the State. He underlined that ensuring pothole-free roads is the government’s top priority.

The Chief Minister held a review meeting on the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department at the State Secretariat on Wednesday. He said the soon-to-be-established AP-Link should be strategically developed with sound financial planning to attract investments in logistics and infrastructure. “All possible revenue streams that can strengthen the R&B Department and the logistics corporation must be explored. Robust investment in logistics will catalyse the development of road networks and infrastructure statewide,” he said.

Stressing the importance of quality and accountability, Mr. Naidu instructed officials to ensure that road construction, maintenance, and repair works are carried out with strict monitoring. He warned that contractors compromising on quality—and the engineers responsible for supervision—would be held accountable.

“The road maintenance and pothole-repair works sanctioned in March have achieved only 10–15% progress. Recently approved projects must begin next month, and all sanctioned works must be completed within the next year,” he said. The Chief Minister also directed officials to monitor road conditions using advanced technologies such as drones, LiDAR, and satellite imagery, and to fast-track the restoration of roads and bridges damaged by Cyclone Michaung.

He further instructed the department to expedite pending works, finalise the list of projects to be taken up under the PPP model, assess viability gap funding, and launch pilot projects on white-topping roads.

Mr. Naidu emphasised the importance of close coordination with the Central Government to ensure that National Highway projects progress without delays. “From land acquisition to execution, we must extend full cooperation to the Centre. There should be no scope for delay. Every public representative must remember: it is always ‘State First – Development First’,” he said.

Minister B.C. Janardhan Reddy and senior officials from the R&B and Finance Departments attended the meeting.