Centre okays metalling of rural roads

Public Works Department Minister Vikramaditya Singh today said the Central Government has accepted the request of the state government to allow metalling of roads in rural areas, which are not in good conditions, under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana- IV (PMGSY-IV), along with construction and metalling of new roads. The minister said he had requested the Central Minister for Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, to allow the state government to metal these roads under PMGSY-IV.

While thanking the Centre for the decision, the minister said it would aid in metalling of around 1,000-1,500 km of roads. He added that the PMGSY-IV would aid in strengthening the rural roads of the state, improving connectivity in the remotest areas. The minister added that efforts were afoot to restore the connectivity in the areas where roads were blocked due to heavy snowfall. He said the department was putting in all efforts to clear the roads as early as possible, and adequate man and machinery had been deployed for the same.

Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur also thanked the Central Government for approving the metalling of old damaged roads along with new roads. “Due to this decision of the government, roads in rural areas across the state will be repaired again. The areas devastated due to the disaster will be the biggest beneficiaries of the decision,” he said.