Complete road connectivity within 5 yrs

Imphal, Jul 31: Manipur's Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Md Allauddin Khan has said with road connectivity in all the villages of Manipur it can help in preserving and protecting the emotional and territorial integrity of the state.

The Manipur Information Centre said the Minister met Union Minister of State for Rural Development Raghuban Prasad in the national capital recently and apprised him of the need for central assistance for upliftment of rural communities in Manipur. The Union Minister said the Centre would release all funds pending with them for development of Manipur.

The Minister Md. Allauddin Khan, who is also holding the portfolio of Minorities and Other Backward Classes (MOBC) and Science&Technology, said road connectivity to all villages in Manipur would be completed within five years if there were no obstacle.

The Minister said the Centre had sanctioned a sum of Rs 152.30 crore in the previous financial year for development of rural roads in Manipur under the PMGSY Phase V. The construction of the roads under the scheme is under progress.

Under the Bharat Nirman- a four-year business plan for rural infrastructure launched by the UPA government, the Minister said the Centre approved for sanction of Rs 302 crore during this current year for new road connectivity in rural areas of both hills and valley in Manipur.

Under the scheme, the village having at least 250 populations would have road connectivity. The state government was under preparation of the detailed project reports in the regard for submission to the Centre.

The Minister further stated that the Centre agreed to release about Rs 500 crore in the next year and about Rs 700 crore in the year 2008-09, a total figure of about Rs 1500 crore in three years for rural road connectivity in the state. Again, the release of funds by the Centre depended upon the State's proper utilization of the funds.

The Manipur State Rural Road Development Agency had been implementing this scheme.

The Minister said,'' We are facing some problems in execution work because of the shortage of staff in the agency. I will consult with the Chief Minister for its smooth sail.

UNI