Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has instructed officials to explore ways to lower the operational expenses of electric buses, which currently stand at about Rs 72 per km. During a review meeting on roads and highways, he emphasized the need to investigate models that could further reduce these costs. Naidu highlighted the importance of expanding charging infrastructure and standardizing battery systems as key areas of focus.
He also proposed transitioning all categories of buses to air-conditioned electric buses gradually and promoting e-cycles as a mass transport option to increase public awareness. Naidu stressed the affordability of public transport, noting that efficient utilization of electric buses is crucial in achieving this objective. Additionally, he mentioned that the use of clean fuel not only reduces operational costs but also benefits the public.
The Chief Minister pointed out that the state has already managed to decrease electricity procurement costs by approximately Rs 1 per unit through efficient solar power management. He urged officials to prioritize fuel cost optimization to enhance service delivery at reduced expenses. Naidu further directed officials to expedite the construction of national and state highways to stimulate economic activities across Andhra Pradesh.
Emphasizing the importance of robust and continuous road maintenance, Naidu highlighted that out of the total 45,433 km of roads in the state, around 10,238 km require annual maintenance. He stressed the immediate repair of potholes to prevent inconvenience to the public and instructed officials to study best practices in road maintenance both nationally and internationally.
Considering geographical and climatic conditions, Naidu suggested adopting hybrid road construction models in regions with black cotton soil and exploring innovative construction materials for frequently damaged canal-side roads. With the upcoming Godavari Pushkarams in mind, he directed officials to undertake road repairs in specific districts and seek special funds from the Central Government.
The Chief Minister underscored the significance of connecting national highways to major ports to enhance economic activities, particularly emphasizing the strategic importance of Andhra Pradesh on the eastern coast. He called for the development of East-West corridors to significantly reduce logistics costs and stressed the necessity of connecting various ports with highway networks, including alternate routes to neighboring states.
