This document summarizes the Indian Ministry of Road Transport and Highways' response to concerns regarding service road access on National Highway 71 (NH71) between Renigunta and Naidupeta, access to the NH71 from Srikalahasti Rural to Thottambedu Main Road connecting Muchivolu and Venkatagiri, and the progress of the four-laning of National Highway 716 (NH716) from Kadapa to Tirupati.
Regarding NH71, the Ministry states that service roads have been provided at requisite and feasible locations along the Renigunta-Naidupeta section. The road connecting Muchivolu and Venkatagiri is already connected to NH71 via a service road. A joint site inspection determined that a direct access road connecting Venkatagiri-Muchivolu to the main carriageway is not feasible due to safety concerns.
Concerning the four-laning of NH716 from Kadapa to Renigunta (121.9 km), the project has been awarded in two packages, with agreements signed on January 28, 2025. Service roads are proposed along the highway based on site requirements and land availability. A 31.9 km stretch of the project passes through Forest, Wildlife Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ), resulting in delays in obtaining necessary clearances. All project clearances, including Stage-I Forest Clearance, have been obtained. Commencement of work is pending the receipt of working permission for Forest Clearance and financial closure by the Concessionaires.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways: A ministry within the Government of India responsible for the development and maintenance of the national highways network.
SHRI MADDILA GURUMOORTHY: A member of Lok Sabha who raised a question regarding service road access and the four-laning of NH716.
Renigunta: A town in Andhra Pradesh, India, specifically mentioned in relation to service road access on National Highway NH71.
Naidupeta: A town in Andhra Pradesh, India, mentioned in relation to service road access on National Highway NH71.
National Highway NH71: A national highway in India, specifically mentioned in relation to service road access between Renigunta and Naidupeta.
Srikalahasti Rural: A rural area near Srikalahasti, Andhra Pradesh, India, mentioned in connection with access road issues.
Thottambedu Main Road: A main road connecting Muchivolu and Venkatagiri, with concerns about access.
National Highway NH716: A national highway in India, specifically the section from Kadapa to Tirupati, undergoing four-laning.
Kadapa: A city in Andhra Pradesh, India, the starting point for the four-laning project on NH716.
Tirupati: A city in Andhra Pradesh, India, the ending point for the four-laning project on NH716.
SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI: The Minister of Road Transport and Highways, responsible for answering the question.
Muchivolu: A location connected to Venkatagiri, that has road connectivity issues.
Venkatagiri: A location connected to Muchivolu, that has road connectivity issues.
National Highways Authority of India NHAI: The agency responsible for the development, maintenance, and management of national highways in India.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2026
ANSWERED ON 31ST JULY, 2025
SERVICE ROAD ACCESS ON NH-71 AND 4 LANING OF NH-716
2026. SHRI MADDILA GURUMOORTHY:
Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार् ग मंत्री
be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware of the inconvenience being
caused to public due to the lack of service road access between
Renigunta and Naidupeta on National Highway (NH)-71 and the absence of
an access road from Srikalahasti Rural to Thottambedu Main Road
connecting Muchivolu and Venkatagiri, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether any field inspections or corrective redesign efforts have
been undertaken based on repeated local representations, if so, the
details thereof;
(c) the status of the long-delayed 4-laning of NH-716 from Kadapa to
Tirupati and the reasons for delay; and
(d) whether the Government would issue directives for early
rectification of service road gaps and fast-track completion of NH-716 to
prevent further hardship to commuters and local industries, if so, the
details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)(a) and (b) Service roads have been provided at requisite and feasible
locations along Renigunta-Naidupeta section of NH-71. The road
connecting Muchivolu and Venkatagiri is already connected to the NH-71
through the Service Road.
A joint site inspection was conducted by the representatives from
National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Safety Consultant,
Independent Engineer and Concessionaire of the project and the
provision of direct access road connecting Venkatagiri-Muchivolu to the
main carriageway is not feasible at site from safety point of view.
(c) &(d) Four laning of NH-716 from Kadapa to Renigunta having 121.9
km length has been taken up in 2 packages and the work has already
been awarded and agreements signed on 28.01.2025. The service roads
have been proposed along the Highway as per site requirements and
availability of land.
Out of 121.9 km, 31.9 km length of the project is passing through
Forest, Wildlife/Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) and there was delay in obtaining
Forest and Wildlife/ESZ Clearances.
As of now, all the project clearances have been obtained including
Stage-I Forest Clearance. The work can commence on obtaining working
permission for Forest Clearance and financial closure by the
Concessionaires.
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