Rs 1,428 crore rural road plan okayed

The rural development ministry approved a proposal for the construction of new roads, including those proposed by MPs, in seven states under Phase III of the rural road connectivity programme. These states are Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa and Nagaland.

The total sanctioned length of road construction under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna (PMGSY) in these states, after this approval, has gone up to 7,582.29 km.

The projects will cost Rs 1,427.71 crore. The roads will benefit residents of 3,172 habitations in these states.

For Andhra Pradesh, proposals have been approved for the laying of 1,154.3 km of roads at a cost of Rs 142.86 crore. The total number of road-works approved is 375, benefiting inhabitants of 597 villages. These include 356 proposals made by MPs from the state.

In the case of Chhattisgarh, 1,872.72 km of roads have been approved under the second part of Phase III of the PMGSY at a cost of Rs 412.59 crore. The total number of road-works approved is 359, including 235 proposed by MPs, connecting 790 habitations to main roads.

For Gujarat, 323.99 km of roads have been approved at a cost of Rs 45.21 crore. Of the 142 works approved, 107 are based on MPs' suggestions.

In all, 190 habitations will get connected with main roads. For Madhya Pradesh, 2,066 km of roads have been approved for construction at a cost of Rs 424.76 crore to cover 665 habitations.

In Maharashtra, 926.66 km of new roads are proposed to be constructed at a cost of Rs 147.48 crore to benefit 351 habitations. The approved proposal included 139 made by MPs.

In Orissa, 1,014.12 km of roads have been approved under the first part of Phase III of the PMGSY, costing Rs 217.30 crore, linking 564 habitations with main roads. The proposals include 99 made by MPs.

In the case of Nagaland, additional proposals for Phase III have been received by the ministry. Since the tenders for the projects in this phase have already been issued, the new proposals have been approved for inclusion in the Phase IV of the programme to be implemented next year.

These involve the construction of 224.5 km of roads at a cost of Rs 37.51 crore for the benefit of 15 habitations in Nagaland.