Centre urged to declare 19 roads as national highways

Hyderabad, Jan 7: Minister for Roads and Buildings Galla Arunakumari on Thursday stated that the government will write to the Centre seeking to declare 19 state highways into national highways.A review meeting, chaired by Chief Minister K Rosaiah and officials concerned, felt that the condition of the state highways was pathetic and needed immediate attention after the recent floods.

The government would receive additional funds if the Centre declares the state highways as national highways, she said.The centre would soon be urged to release funds for the proper development of road facilities in Naxal-prone districts.Earlier, a similar request was made to the Centre to improve the roads in Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam and East Godavari districts citing left wing extremism, she pointed out.The government released Rs 312 crore to take up the road repair works in Khammam district, she said.