Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 27: Chief Secretary, B B Vyas today reviewed the progress of the flagship Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) being implemented across the State.
Principal Secretary, Finance, Commissioner/Secretary, PW(R&B), Chief Engineers of PMGSY & R&B and other senior officers attended the meeting.
Launched in the year 2000, PMGSY has proved as a catalyst in improving road connectivity to the unconnected habitations having population of 250 persons and above in J&K. Since inception, 2526 schemes/projects have been sanctioned in J&K from phase I to X, targeting 2840 habitations and involving construction of 13662 KM of road length at an estimated cost of Rs 8151 crore.
In phase X, 542 schemes were sanctioned by the Union Ministry of Rural Development. While all 542 schemes have been tendered, 500 of these have been allotted to the lowest bidder and 42 are under tendering process.
Out of the balance 146 unconnected habitations that remain after phase-X, 105 are being proposed under phase XI. Similarly, in phase XI, 2070 km road length will be taken up for up-gradation across the State at an estimated cost of Rs 2514 crore.
Chief Secretary stressed on strict adherence to the PMGSY guidelines in all road projects being undertaken across the State including proper maintenance of roads. In 2017-18, as part of the Annual Capex Budget, an outlay of Rs 500 crore has been approved for maintenance of PMGSY roads.
Similarly, for land/forest compensation, against the sanctioned Rs 750 crore, an amount of Rs 710 crore has been released ending March, 2017.