A total of three firms have been shortlisted as financially qualified for implementation of the Vakalapudi Light House-Annavaram Four Lane Highway Project (NH-16, NH-516F) (Port Connectivity). These include: the joint venture (JV) of Aurobindo Realty and Infrastructure Private Limited and KMC Constructions Limited, GR Infraprojects Limited and H.G. Infra Engineering Limited. Bids for the same were invited by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in July 2022.
The project involves construction of 40.62 km long four lane highway connecting Vakalapudi Light House to Annavaram (on NH-16) through Uppada beach from 0 km to 40.62 km on the National Highway (NH)-516F in the state of Andhra Pradesh at an estimated cost of Rs 9,507.2 million. It is being implemented on Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) under Phase I of Bharatmala Pariyojana. It aims to connect proposed greenfield port near Perumallapuram and Kakinada Port.