The Himachal Pradesh government has submitted a proposal of 273 new roads projects of 1613 kilometers length and 14 bridges amounting to Rs. 1003 crore to the Union Ministry of Rural Development.
In a State Level Standing Committee meeting on PMGSY, the government approved the new shelf of roads which include 44 proposals of new connectivity (stage-I) of Rs. 211 crore, new connectivity (stage-I+11) of Rs. 246 crore, 14 left out or missing bridges, new connectivity (stage-11) amounting to Rs. 391 crore and up-gradation of 36 roads at a cost of Rs. 128 crore.
Chief Secretary V.C Pharka stressed on building good roads to give connectivity to difficult rural areas of the state. He directed the Finance department to release state share as per new funding pattern. As per the revised funding pattern for Himalayan States, the ratio of 90: 10 between Centre and State is being followed. Himachal Pradesh will have to contribute 10% of the total sanction, he said.
Pharka said the Union Ministry of Rural Development has taken a decision to complete the connectivity mandate of balance eligible habitations under PMGSY by March 2019 against the earlier target year of 2022. He said Himachal government was committed to provide connectivity to all eligible habitations, provided people donated land.
Additional Chief Secretary, Public Works Department Narender Chauhan apprised about the achievements made by the State under PMGSY during last 16 years. He said during this period, Union Ministry of Rural Development sanctioned 16474 kilometer roads for connecting 3902 eligible habitations. Out of these, HPPWD has completed 12392 km. giving connectivity to 3522 habitations, which reflects a 75 percent physical achievement and 58 percent financial achievement.
Chauhan said during year 2016-17 PMGSY sanctioned two batches for 520 proposals amounting to Rs. 1710 crore were got sanctioned by the department. During the current financial year, so far expenditure amounting to Rs. 23 crore has been made under PMGSY schemes and department expects to spend over Rs. 450 crore by the end of March 2018.
