The Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojna (PMGSY) in Uttarakhand is picking up pace. The state government claims it has met 50-60 per cent of the target.
A total of Rs 1,551 crore has been sanctioned by the Centre for the programme in the hill state for which a total of Rs 1,116 crore has already been released. Under the programme, which began in 2000-01, the department of rural development sanctioned 743 roads and bridges to connect 612 villages of population between 500 and 1000, with PWD being the executing agency.
After a slow start for nearly eight years, the government has now been able to complete nearly 398 roads and bridges to connect 416 villages. Till 2007-08, 72 villages had been connected. But later, the programme picked up momentum due to various factors. For 2011-12, the government has set a target of completing 650 km of roads. Additional secretary, rural development (PMGSY ), S C Badoni said the government had spent all the money (Rs 1,116 crore) released by the Central government to Uttarakhand for the scheme.
