"The state can come up with further proposals for sanction by December. However, the execution capacity is a major concern. Hence, the state will have to establish a minimum of 20 more project implementation units (PIUs) for expediting the sanctioned road projects. The state is having a workload of about Rs 6,000 crore and at present it has engaged only 50 PIUs with a capacity of only Rs 3,125 crore," Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh said in a letter to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
The ministry had sanctioned Rs 2,445.75 crore for construction of roads measuring 5,189 km during 2012-13 and Rs 1,067 crore for construction of 1,184 km of roads in 2013-14.
Informing that the ministry had opened up habitations with a population of over 100 in 18 Integrated Action Plan (IAP) districts for connectivity under the PMGSY, Ramesh said the list of the most-affected blocks where PMGSY projects for such habitations have been taken up was shared with the state government.
Ramesh requested the Chief Minister to prepare detailed project reports (DPRs) at the earliest so that they can be considered for clearance in the next couple of months.