National Highway 516E (India)

National Highway 516E shield}}
National Highway 516E
Map
Map of the National Highway in red
Road to Araku valley from Visakhapatnam, Araku Ghat Road in Andhra Pradesh 30.jpg
Galikonda view point on NH 516E
Route information
Length406 km (252 mi)
Major junctions
South endRajamundry
North endVizianagaram
Location
CountryIndia
StatesAndhra Pradesh
Highway system
← NH 16→ NH 26

National Highway 516E, commonly called NH 516E is a national highway in India.[1][2] It is a spur road of National Highway 16.[3] NH-516E traverses the state of Andhra Pradesh in India.[2][4]

Green National Highways Corridor Project

The highway is being widened under the "Green National Highways Corridor Project" (GNHCP), with a $500 million loan from the World Bank out of the total project cost of $1288.24 million. A 210 km stretch from Koyyuru to Vizianagaram is part of this project. The project aims to promote environmentally sustainable highways and strengthen institutional capacity in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. However, it has drawn criticism for its environmental and social impacts, especially the tribal regions.[5][6]

Issues

Widening NH 516E has raised concerns over deforestation, with over 7,000 trees—including teak in reserve forests—felled.[7] While compensatory afforestation was promised on 120 hectares, progress is unclear. The highway passes through Scheduled Tribal Areas like Koyyuru, Chintapalli, and Araku. Locals allege that rerouting occurred without proper environmental or social impact assessments, affecting water sources and livelihoods. Only four out of nine villages reportedly held Gram Sabhas, with low attendance. Activists claim violations of the PESA Act, which requires tribal consent for such projects. Quarrying for materials has raised further environmental concerns.[8]

Route

Rajamundry, Junction with SH38/41 south of Rampachodavaram,Rajavommangi, Koyyuru, Chintapalli, Addateegala Lambasingi, Vanjari, G.Madugula, Paderu, Araku, Bowadara, Tadipudi, Vizianagaram.[1][2]

Junctions

NH 16 Terminal in Rajamundry.[1]
NH 26 Terminal near Vizianagaram.[1]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d "New highways notification dated March, 2017" (PDF). The Gazette of India - Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  2. ^ a b c "State-wise length of National Highways (NH) in India as on 30.06.2017". Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  3. ^ "New Numbering of National Highways notification - Government of India" (PDF). The Gazette of India. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  4. ^ "400-km link road project in Agency area likely". The Hindu. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  5. ^ Rao, G. V. R. Subba (5 November 2023). "Reach out to tribal people who lost lands, livelihood due to construction of NH-516E, demands CPI(M)". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 9 May 2025.
  6. ^ "Reconsider changes in NH 516 E proposals, Andhra Pradesh Adivasi JAC urges Tribal Affairs Minister". The Hindu. 22 August 2022. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 9 May 2025.
  7. ^ "Over 7,000 Trees to Be Uprooted for NH 516". www.deccanchronicle.com. 3 June 2024. Retrieved 9 May 2025.
  8. ^ "Tribal Rights Compromised for National Highway in Andhra, Say Locals and Activists | NewsClick". NewsClick. 7 November 2020. Archived from the original on 1 December 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2025.


allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Highway_516E_(India)