Jashpur, Apr 17 (PTI) Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Friday laid the foundation stones of 774 roads under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) and asserted it reflected the government's strong commitment to rural development.
The total length of these roads is 2,426.875 kilometres, with an estimated construction cost of Rs. 2,225.44 crore, he said.
"Nearly 781 habitations will receive permanent all-weather road access through these projects, bringing faster movement, better education access, healthcare services and stronger rural economic activity. The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana launched during the tenure of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has now become a lifeline for rural India," Sai said.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, road network expansion has accelerated significantly over the past decade, he said, adding that most villages in Chhattisgarh have been connected by roads due to PMGSY and the PM JANMAN Yojana.
"Work is progressing under the Bharatmala Project on the Raipur-Visakhapatnam corridor and the Raipur-Jashpur-Dhanbad route, which will further improve connectivity and economic opportunities in the Jashpur region," he said.
Speaking about other development initiatives, Sai said 515 Primary Agricultural Credit Cooperative Societies (PACS) were recently launched virtually, increasing the total number of such societies in the state to 2,573.
"These societies will help farmers access fertilisers, seeds and short-term loans as well as simplifying paddy procurement. The state government is procuring paddy at Rs. 3,100 per quintal. Before Holi, Rs 10,000 crore was transferred into the bank accounts of 25.28 lakh farmers," Sai said.
Camps are being organised across the state under the Bijli Bill Samadhan Yojana with Rs 757 crore in power dues being waived, the CM said.
Deputy CM Vijay Sharma said construction of the 774 roads will begin shortly.
"More than 1,300 roads have been completed in the state over the past two years. Road construction is progressing rapidly in Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group areas under the PM JANMAN Yojana, helping connect these regions with the mainstream," Sharma said.
Panchayat and Rural Development Department Principal Secretary Niharika Barik, informed that under PMGSY Phase-IV, 3,065 roadless habitations have been identified across the state.
Under Batch-2, proposals for 975 roads covering 2,684 kilometres for 1,000 habitations have been sent to the Union government, while DPRs are being prepared for the remaining 1,284 habitations, Barik added.
Under the PM JANMAN Yojana, approval of Rs 2,477 crore has been received for construction of 807 roads covering 2,902 kilometres and 123 major bridges, benefiting 871 habitations, she said.
"So far, 356 roads covering 1,735 kilometres have been completed, connecting 356 habitations. Under PMGSY, a total of 10,119 roads spanning 47,847 kilometres and 581 major bridges have been sanctioned in the state. Of these, 8,713 roads covering 42,250 kilometres and 444 bridges have already been completed," she said.