Synopsis
Since 2016, the Road Connectivity Project for Left Wing Extremism Affected Areas (RCPLWEA) has significantly enhanced over 4,800 km of roads in Maoism-affected states, achieving a width of 5.5 meters. This initiative aims to improve security and connectivity in these regions.Key Takeaways
- 4,800 km of road widened since 2016.
- Bihar upgraded the most roads at 1,491 km.
- Chhattisgarh followed with 1,107 km.
- Road upgrades are crucial for security.
- Part of the PMGSY initiative to connect unconnected habitations.
New Delhi, Feb 11 (NationPress) More than 4,800 km of road infrastructure has been enhanced and expanded in areas affected by Maoism to 5.5 meter wide carriageways since 2016 through the Road Connectivity Project for Left Wing Extremism Affected Areas (RCPLWEA), as reported in Parliament on Tuesday.
The Minister of Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, stated in Lok Sabha that RCPLWEA was initiated as a distinct branch of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), focusing on the construction and enhancement of roads deemed strategically significant for security.
He noted that these roads were selected by the Ministry of Home Affairs in collaboration with the respective state Home Departments.
In detailing the advancements in road expansion within Maoism-affected regions, Chouhan highlighted that the largest number of roads, totaling 94 and spanning 1,491 km, was upgraded in Bihar.
Chhattisgarh followed as the second-largest beneficiary, with 61 roads and 1,107 km upgraded.
Other states impacted by Left Wing Extremism that received road upgrades included Andhra Pradesh with 26 roads, Jharkhand with 29 roads, Odisha with 29 roads, Telangana with 33 roads, and Uttar Pradesh with 23 roads.
The Minister explained that as part of a strategy to alleviate poverty, the PMGSY was initiated in 2000 to provide connectivity through all-weather roads to eligible unconnected habitations.
In 2013, PMGSY-II was introduced to enhance selected Through Routes and Major Rural Links (MRLs) with the aim of upgrading 50,000 km of roads.
In 2019, PMGSY-III was launched to consolidate and upgrade 1,25,000 km of Through Routes and Major Rural Links, connecting habitations to Gramin Agricultural Markets (GrAMs), Higher Secondary Schools, and Hospitals, he added.
Under PMGSY-II and PMGSY-III, roads were eligible for upgrades to 5.5 meter carriageways based on traffic assessments.
