Khandu discusses rural connectivity issues with Tomar

Itanagar:  Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu discussed the issues related to rural development, specifically rural connectivity with Union Rural Development minister Narendra Kumar Tomar.

During the meeting held recently at New Delhi, Khandu informed Tomar that road connectivity in Arunachal Pradesh was gradually improving with all-weather access to eligible unconnected habitations in the state under the flagship programme of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY). Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju was also present at the meeting.

The Arunachal Pradesh chief minister said connectivity has been facilitating access to economic and social service and helping generate increase agriculture income, productive employment and reduce poverty.

Khandu thanked the RD Ministry under Tomar for sympathetically considering the unique demographic as well as geographic characteristics of the state and liberally funding projects to improve connectivity. The state government during 2016-17 submitted a proposal for 162 road works and 53 long-span bridges with a total length of 2,447 km for consideration and sanction.

The ministry cleared 119 road and 36 long-span bridges in November 2016 after its empowered committee approved the proposals in principle, the release said. The chief minister requested Tomar to consider approval and sanctioning of the remaining 43 roads and 15 long-span bridges. He said all required technical corrections and modifications have already been made in the detailed project reports as per the directives of the National Rural Roads Development Agency.

Khandu requested early release of the first instalment for the PMGSY, as pending bills for payment against the works executed need to be cleared. Tomar assured support and cooperation of his ministry and said that it was the vision of the Prime Minister that all rural villages of the state are connected by 2019, the release added. (PTI)