Manipur achieves PMGSY target
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 28 2016: Among 30 States of India where PMGSY is implemented, Manipur has been listed among four States which have achieved the scheme's target.

Ministry of Rural Development Joint Secretary (RC&DG, NRRDA) Rajesh Bhushan sent letters to Principal Secretaries/Secretaries of respective States on November 13 last year and one of the letters sent to the State Government informed that Manipur was among the four States of the country which has achieved the PMGSY target for 2015-16 .

The four States which have achieved the target are Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Manipur.

Targets were set for construction of 300 Kms of roads each in Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Manipur respectively.

Against these targets, 332.51 Kms, 417.72 Kms and 308.12 Kms of roads were constructed in the three States.

558.13 Kms of roads were constructed in Uttarakhand against the target of 450 Kms, according to a report furnished by the Government of India.

Rejoicing at the spectacular achievement which also included construction of new roads mostly in hill districts, Manipur State Rural Roads Development Agency (MSRRDA) Chief Engineer N Babuchand told media persons that Manipur is now a frontrunner among all the North Eastern States in terms of implementing PMGSY.

The achievement is even more commendable if one takes into account the State's volatile law and order situation.

Babuchand then lauded engineers and contractors who executed PMGSY works in far flung areas and people living in such remote places.

Informing that a workshop on assessment of PMGSY works would be held at the conference hall of MSRRDA on January 30 and 31, he said that the workshop which would be attended by officials of the Central Government would study if people living in remote areas could reap any benefit out of new roads constructed in their areas under PMGSY.

The value of land has risen in the valley area following improvement of connectivity as a result of construction of new roads.

One sangam of land which earlier cost Rs five lakh now cost Rs 15/20 lakh.

This is one dimension of the socio-economic changes brought about by PMGSY, remarked the Chief Engineer.

The agency has also been working in full swing to provide better connectivity at international border areas of Chandel, Ukhrul and Churachandpur under Border Area Development Programme (BADP).

However, the Government is yet to sanction adequate fund for repairing of roads damaged by earthquake earlier this month.

A small amount sanctioned from National Disaster Fund too has not reached the account of MSRRDA.

Once the amount reaches the agency's account, roads which suffered landslides would be repaired.

PMGSY has a component called Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana for development model villages equipped with better transport infrastructure through respective MPs.

Identification of villages for development of model villages has been completed in Churachandpur, Imphal East and Thoubal districts.

Tender process has been completed and work order issued for one village but the same process is pending for two other villages, informed the Chief Engineer.

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