Hans News Service Amaravati

ChiefMinister Nara Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday outlined a dual strategy of expanding electric mobility and accelerating highway development to lower transport costs and boost economic activity across Andhra Pradesh.

Reviewing roads and highways at the Secretariat, the Chief Minister said affordable and efficient public transport hinges on scaling up electric buses. Adoption of clean energy will reduce operational costs and directly benefit commuters, he stated. Pointing out that the State has already reduced electricity procurement costs by about Re 1 per unit through efficient solar power management, he called for similar optimisation in transport fuel costs. With EV bus operating costs currently around Rs 72 per km, the Chief Minister directed officials to examine models to bring down expenses, focusing on charging infrastructure expansion and battery standardisation. While recommending a gradual transition of all bus categories to air-conditioned electric buses, he mooted e-cycles as a complementary mass mobility option. On the infrastructure front, the Chief Minister stressed robust and continuous road maintenance. Of the State’s 45,433 km road network, about 10,238 km requires annual upkeep. He ordered immediate repair of potholes and adoption of global best practices, while assuring adequate funding for Roads & Buildings Department’s works. Highlighting region-specific challenges, Naidu called for tailored construction approaches, particularly in black cotton soil areas of the Godavari districts, recommending hybrid road models such as BT and white-topping. Continued on Page 7