72% of PMGSY roads sanctioned for 2020-21 completed

Bhubaneswar, Jan 19: With the applaud of achieving first position at national level in implementation of PMGSY for last four consecutive years,   Odisha has kept up the high rate of implementation in the current year also beating all the adversities of Covid-19 pandemic. This was known from a high level review meeting held under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra last evening in Lokseba Bhawan conference hall wherein Development Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary Rural Development Pardeep Kumar Jena outlined the issues for discussion.  Reviewing the progress made so far, Mohapatra directed the Collectors, Superintendents of Police and Executive Engineers of the concerned districts to prepare project wise micro-plan against each project, more particularly for the project in left wing infected areas. He also directed the district administration to provide all support to the contractors working in those remote areas. The issues relating to availability of materials, mobilization of machinery and engagement of more manpower were discussed and resolved in the meeting. Director General of Police Abhaya, participating in the discussion through video conference assured that police is all set for providing any ground level support. Development Commissioner Jena said, “Road connectivity is a prime focus area of the Government and there is no problem of funding for the projects under PMGSY, UPANTA, SETU scheme and BIJU Setu Yojana. The ground level works should be expedited through concerted efforts among the Police, Engineers of RD department and the contractors in a time bound manner”. Target was set to complete the PMGSY roads by end of March, 2021. Engineer in Chief and Special Secretary Rural Development Upnedra Kumar Mund appraised that per the annual action plan, 2095 kms of road have been taken up in the state under PMGSY for the year 2020-21. As of now, 1500 kms of road have been completed. Out of the balance roads, 250 kms are within the left wing infected areas where the contractors are operating with police support. These roads are mostly in isolated areas of Malkangiri, Kandhamala, Kalahandi, Rayagada, Koraput districts. Additional Secretary Rural development Sudarshan Parida appraised, “So far 64,821 kms of road and 583 bridges have been sanctioned under PMGSY against which 61,428 kms roads and 412 bridges have already been completed with investment of around Rs. 26,329 cr”. Presently, the projects are being financed both by Central and State Government on 60:40 sharing basis. Additional Chief Secretary Home Sanjeev Chopra, Engineer in Chief rural development Suresh Mishra, AG Police Amitav Thakur along with senior officers and engineers of the department participated in the review.  The Collectors, SPs and Executive Engineers of concerned districts appraised about present status of the projects through video conferencing.