Andhra Pradesh will construct 6,000 km of cement concrete roads under the third phase of the Palle Panduga programme, Union Minister for Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu said during a visit to Srikakulam district. The programme is intended to expand essential infrastructure and improve living standards in rural areas across the state.

Naidu participated in an event at Kosamala village in Meliaputti mandal of the Palasa constituency on Saturday. He said the Palle Panduga initiative was being implemented across Andhra Pradesh based on an idea put forward by Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan.

The minister said the programme focused on identifying and developing infrastructure needed by rural communities. Its scope includes roads, drainage systems, facilities for farmers and amenities for livestock, with the latest phase being implemented on a larger scale.

Under Palle Panduga 3.0, the state plans to build 6,000 km of cement roads and 9,500 km of bitumen roads. The programme also includes the construction of 22,000 mini cattle shelters, with the combined works estimated to cost Rs. 110.85 bn.

During his tour, Naidu inaugurated a bitumen road at Santhalakshmipuram built at a cost of Rs. 26.5 mn. He later inaugurated an Anganwadi centre constructed for Rs. 1.2 mn and laid the foundation stone for a community hall.

Naidu said the expansion of village infrastructure was essential for enabling rural areas to progress. The works announced under the programme are expected to support connectivity, basic services, farming-related activities and livestock management in villages across the state.