India-based Madhucon Projects has won a Rs5.6bn ($109.7m) contract from the National Highway Authority of India to build a 65km four-lane stretch of the NH-9 between Vijayawada and Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh state.

The initial cost of the project was estimated at Rs7.3bn ($144m), of which Rs300m ($5.87m) was allocated for land acquisition, rehabilitation and resettlement issues as well as pre-construction.

Construction on the project is scheduled to be complete in one year, following then the company will operate the stretch for 20 years under a concession agreement.

The project is being implemented under the National Highways Development Programme phase IV-A in the build, operate and transfer mode.

After completion, the stretch will reduce travel time and relieve traffic congestion in the Krishna district as well as provide a link to the under-construction port at Bandar, according to thehindu.com