More than 2,000 km of coastal roads would be built in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha and the first phase of the award is expected to happen during 2017-18, an official said.
The projects include constructing a 445-km-long road connecting Dighi port, Dabhol, Guhaghar, Jaigad port, Deogad, Malwan, Venguria and Arunda in Maharashtra in the west, and a 430-km long road connecting Konark, Astarand, Naugong, Paradeep port, Ratanpur, Dharma, Basudevpur, Chandaneshwar and Digha in Odisha.
A similar big-size coastal connectivity project totaling a length of 427-km has been envisaged in Tamil Nadu that would connect – Karungulam-Tiruchendur-Kayalpattinam-Tuticorin-Tondi-Mimisal-Manalmelkudi-Tagattur-Vedaranniyam-Nagappatinam.
These projects were selected by the Road Ministry based on recommendations of the Ministry of Shipping, the official said.
These 2,011 km coastal connectivity projects are part of the larger Bharatmala programme of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
Bharatmala scheme envisages construction of a 5,000-km road network along the land border. It includes both construction and upgrades for Rs 12,000 crore. The road network will stretch from Gujarat in the west to Mizoram in the east covering 10 other states.
 "NHAI to add 50,000 km in next six years")
