Date:22/02/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/02/22/stories/2004022204351000.htm

National

Construction of over 7,500 km of roads approved

By Our Staff Correspondent

NEW DELHI, FEB. 21. The Rural Development Minister, Kashiram Rana, has approved the proposal for the phase-III of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) for Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa and Nagaland. The proposals also include roads proposed by members of Parliament in these States.

With the approval of this phase, the total length of roads under the scheme will be 7,582.29 km and these will be constructed at a cost of Rs. 1,427.71 crores. The roads will benefit people of 3,172 habitations in these seven States.

While Andhra Pradesh will get Rs.142.86 crores for the construction of 1,154.30 km of road, the largest beneficiary will be Madhya Pradesh that will receive Rs. 424.76 crores for laying of 2,066 km of roads. The total number of road works approved in Andhra Pradesh is 375, which will benefit 597 habitations. The proposals approved include 356 made by MPs. In Madhya Pradesh, 412 works had been approved to benefit people of 665 habitations.

Chhattisgarh will have 1,872.72 km of roads at a cost of Rs. 412.59 crores. The total number of road works approved is 359, including 235 proposed by MPs. Gujarat will have 323.99 km of roads to be constructed at a cost of Rs. 45.21 crores. The total number of road works approved is 142, which will benefit people of 190 habitations. The proposals approved include 107 proposals made by the MPs.

The figures for Maharashtra read 926.66 km of roads and Rs. 147.48 crores.

The total number of road works approved is 304, which include 139 proposals made by MPs.

A length of 1,014.12 km of roads has been approved for Orissa at a cost of Rs. 217.30 crores. Of the total 283 works approved, 99 proposals have been approved by the MPs. Nagaland will have 224.50 km of road at a cost of Rs. 37.51 crores.