New rural roads to connects 3175 habitations in N-E states

Shillong, May 10 (UNI) The Union Ministry of Rural Development has decided to provide new rural road connectivity under the Bharat Nirman Programme to more than 20,000 habitations during 2007-08 in the North East.

An official communique here today said new road connectivity in rural areas will be provided connecting 3175 habitations as well as upgradation of the rural roads.

An outlay of Rs 6500 crore has been provided in the Budget Estimate of the current fiscal (2007-08) for construction of rural roads under PMGSY for the whole country, including the North Eastern Region, which includes contribution from the World Bank and Asian Development Bank.

In addition, Rs 4500 crore would be available form a Special Window of NABARD under Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF).

Withdrawal of funds by the states from the Window would be subject to performance under the programme in relation to the physical and financial targets fixed for the current year, the statement stated.

UNI