New Delhi– The government is serious about bringing radical changes in road conditions in the country and, by 2019, it will ensure no nook and corner of the country remains uncovered under the road network, the Lok Sabha was told on Thursday.
“UPA sanctioned roads even without having adequate funds. When they had about Rs.9,000 crore fund in 2014, they sanctioned roads worth Rs 43,000. But we are working hard to implement the programme,” said Rural Development Minister Chaudhary Birender Singh in the Lok Sabha.
“Hence, the projects earmarked for 2022 has been advanced to 2018-19. We will ensure no nook and corner is uncovered,” the minister said during Question Hour.
Replying to supplementary questions from members, including Bharatiya Janta Party’s (BJP) Ramesh Bais, who said that often state governments do not provide true status of roads to the Centre, the union minister said, the government would ensure that no state faces fund crunch.
But, Singh said, in some states road projects are pending for more than five years.
“We have such instances in Bihar and also Maharashtra where works started but roads have not come up. We have asked the states to expedite the process of completing the works and if necessary even reissue the contracts,” Singh said.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has enhanced the allocation for flagship scheme PMGSY to Rs.19,000 crore. And the government will build up 2,23,000 km of new roads by 2019,” he said.
Kantilal Bhuria, Congress member from Jhabua, in Madhya Pradesh, alleged that the condition of roads was very bad in Madhya Pradesh and even sand mafia was exploiting the situation while people, especially in tribal belts, were suffering immensely. (IANS)
