Left -wing hit areas get Rs. 11,000-cr roads

In an attempt to build all-weather roads and improve connectivity for security purposed in nearly 40 districts hit by the Left-wing extremism, the Centre has cleared over Rs. 11,000-cr to construct top-class road network. In this connection, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has targeted 35 worst affected LWE districts accounting for 90% of total violence in the country. To be implemented under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, more than 5,400 km of road would be constructed and upgraded and 126 bridges and cross drainage works would be taken up at an estimated cost of Rs. 11,724.53cr. The roads will be operable through the year, irrespective of weather conditions, said official sources. The sharing of funds for the LWE road project will be similar to PMGSY as in the ratio of 60:40 between the Centre and states for all states except for North eastern and three Himalayan states (Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand) for which, it is 90:10, said official sources.