Bhubaneswar: The state government has decided to upgrade 4,400-km rural roads under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) phase II.
The state-level committee headed by Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi approved the detail project reports (DPRs) prepared for the upgradation. Padhi directed the rural development (RD) department to prepare detailed work schedule for completion of 2000 km of PMGSY road per month in the current working season.
The rural development engineers have been instructed to strictly implement the norms regarding 5-year maintenance of PMGSY roads after their laying. They have also been asked to keep a strict vigil over the quality of construction and maintenance regularly.
RD secretary Mona Sharma said that the upgradation projects would be financed by the Central and state government on 60:40 basis. The work is targeted to be completed in a phased manner by March 2020. RD Chief Engineer Bijaya Narayan Mishra said that the projects would be sent for final approval of the Ministry of Rural Development by end of this month.
Official sources said 48,452 km of roads and 241 bridges have been constructed in the state under PMGSY-I by October 2018 with an investment of Rs 20,892 crore. With these roads, 14,737 unconnected habitations have been connected with all-weather roads.
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