State to release fund to complete rural road projects: Minister

Thiruvananthapuram, Jul 2: Kerala Local Administration Minister Paloli Mohammedkutty told the State Assembly that the State Government would release additional funds to complete the pending rural road projects under the Prime Minister's 'Grameen Sadak Yojana' (PMGSY).

Replying to a calling attention by Aryadan Muhammed (Cong), the minister said though 322 road projects had been sanctioned by the Centre under the PMGSY, the work on 83 roads could not be taken up due to stringent guidelines by the Centre.

The rates were fixed as per the prevailing conditions in 2007, but owing to the steep hike in bitumen, steel and cement prices, contractors refused to take up the remaining works. Since the Centre was not willing to revise the rates, the State Government had decided to bear the additional expenses, he said.

The Minister said all the remaining works would be taken up soon.

UNI