Odisha aims to complete 3,500 km roads by March

A villager rides a bicycle carrying vegetables to the nearby market in Odisha.

Odisha, which is at the top of the list of States for implementation of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, has set a target to complete 3,500 kilometre roads by March end, a top official said.

So far, Odisha has constructed 43,222 km roads — which connect 19,682 villages — in 2017 at an investment of ₹18,624 crore under PMGSY, official sources said.

The PMGSY is being implemented in Odisha on 60:40 sharing by the Centre and the State.

Chief Secretary A.P. Padhi, who presided over a meeting of the State Level Sanctioning Committee of PMGSY here on Friday, said “I have asked the officials to complete road construction of 3,500 km under PMGSY by March 2018.”

New roads, bridges approved

The committee, which is headed by Mr. Padhi, also approved 165 new roads and 36 bridges spread across 582 km as new connectivity and upgradation projects.

The projects are estimated at around ₹500 crore. The target was set to complete additional 14,000 km of roads during the coming fiscal.

Mr. Padhi also directed officials to ensure better quality of construction and expedite completion through close monitoring on day-to-day basis.

The engineers of the Department of Rural Development were advised to make use of waste materials in the construction of the roads, Mr. Padhi said, adding that Forest Department officers have been asked to provide necessary cooperation in connecting the unconnected villages.