Since 2001-02 to 2008-09, 267 roads were sanctioned in the state under the Prime Minister road scheme. Of the sanctioned projects, 153 roads were in the Naxal-infested areas of the state.
While the construction work of the 114 roads has been in progress, the work of roads sanctioned in the insurgency-hit pockets was severely affected.
According to officials, the construction work in the 92 roads of the 153 started but had to be abandon following threat from the Naxalites. The contractors awarded the work left the project mid-way and fled. The work in 61 projects could not even start as the contractors did not show interest and participated in the tender process.
Chief Minister Raman Singh held a high level meeting with the officials of panchayat and rural development department and took stock of the situation.
"The Chief Minister had directed the officials to speed up the work of the 92 roads in which the work had started," a state government spokesperson said.
The Centre had approved the proposal of the state government to start the work, the spokesperson said, adding that tender had been invited to execute the proposal.
The roads would be built with an investment of Rs 163 crore.
The rebels active in the Bastar region have been opposing the road construction as it will facilitate the movement of security forces in their areas. The state government had however prepared an action plan to start the road construction under thick security cover in Bastar.
