Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari will inaugurate national highway projects worth Rs 1,928.46 crore and lay the foundation stone for projects worth Rs 2,539.08 crore in Andhra Pradesh, an official said on Monday.

Gadkari, who is scheduled to visit Vijaywada on October 3, will also lay the foundation stone for the development of Muktyala to Vijaywada stretch of Krishna River (National Waterway-4) during his visit.

"Approximately 415 km of national highways would be inaugurated... while he (Gadkari) will also lay the foundation for another 250 km," a statement from the Road Transport and Highways Ministry said.

"The projects include rehabilitation and upgradation of existing national highways, besides construction of a four-lane bypass to Vijayanagaram town on NH 43 (New NH 26)," it added.

Earlier this month, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the six-laning of the Narasannapeta-Ranastalam section of National Highway-16 in Andhra Pradesh at a cost of Rs 1,423 crore.

The proposed cost for development of the 54 km stretch includes cost of land acquisition, resettlement and rehabilitation and other pre-construction activities, a statement from the Road Transport and Highways Ministry said.

"The projected traffic in 2016-17 on this stretch is about 33,000 PCUs (Passenger Car Equivalent) per day. Keeping in view the expected traffic growth in the near future, the expansion from existing four lanes to six lanes is a very timely step," it said.

The Ministry said that the project would also increase employment potential for local labourers from project activities. 

"Employment potential of around 2,21,000 man-days will be generated locally during the construction period of this stretch," it said.

"Consequent self-employment due to improved traffic conditions would be in addition."

IANS Inputs