RRR: Central Government Prioritizes Regional Ring Road Development
The Central Government is set to prioritize the construction of the Regional Ring Road (RRR) that will extend beyond Hyderabad’s Outer Ring Road. Recently, the Ministry of National Highways included the RRR in its Action Plan 2047, marking it as a significant infrastructure project under the “Viksit Bharat” initiative. This decision has accelerated the development process, with the road’s construction expected to gain momentum shortly.
Planned Construction and Funding
The Regional Ring Road will span approximately 350 kilometers, divided into two sections: the northern and southern parts. Both the central and state governments have agreed on this bifurcated construction approach. The northern section, which covers 161.52 kilometers, has already received alignment approval and has been granted the status of a national highway. The southern section, measuring 189.20 kilometers, is still awaiting final approval. According to a recent report submitted to the Central Government, the total estimated cost for the construction is around ₹27,000 crores. The northern part is expected to cost approximately ₹14,000 crores, while the southern section will require around ₹13,000 crores. The Central Government will fully fund the road construction, with land acquisition costs shared equally between the central and state governments.
Land Acquisition and Project Initiation
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, recently clarified in Parliament that construction will commence as soon as the land acquisition process is completed. The state government has directed district collectors to expedite this process, with an aim to complete land acquisition within the next three months. Senior officials have confirmed this timeline, indicating that the groundwork for construction is already in motion.
Challenges in Simultaneous Construction
The feasibility of constructing both sections of the RRR simultaneously was discussed during a review meeting between Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. While the northern section is nearing the final stages of land acquisition, there are still some legal challenges and opposition from local farmers who stand to lose their land. Efforts are underway to resolve these issues quickly. On the other hand, land acquisition for the southern section has not yet begun, requiring notices to be issued and objections from affected farmers to be addressed. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has instructed district collectors to ensure that compensation is paid fairly and with a humane approach, coordinating closely with Central Government officials. However, the delay in initiating the process for the southern section raises concerns about the possibility of constructing both sections simultaneously.
