CM Nitish Kumar today remotely launched the Rural Roads Strengthening and Management Programme from ‘SANKALP’ at 1 Anne Marg. Under the scheme, 6,938 roads (total length 12,105 km) were taken up at a cost of Rs 8,716 crore.
Deepak Kumar Singh, Additional Chief Secretary, Rural Works Department, gave a presentation on the schemes and achievements of the department. He apprised about the current status of ongoing projects under Mukhyamantri Gramme Sampark Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Gramme Sadak Yojana, Mukhyamantri Gramin Setu Yojana etc. He also informed that under the Mukhyamantri Gramin Sadak Unnayan Yojana, now a new phase has been started for repair and management of rural roads. The objective of this initiative is to re-strengthen and make sustainable the roads whose five-year period of maintenance has ended.
Administrative sanction of Rs 21,733 crore has been accorded for upgradation of 14,087 roads (24,482 km) in FY 2024-25. A target has been set to maintain these roads in good condition for the next 7 years under which re-surfacing will be done twice. If a technical fault is found in a road, it will be mandatory to repair it in the stipulated time.
Congratulating the Rural Works Department on the occasion, CM Nitish Kumar said that the programme would strengthen the rural transport network of the state. He directed that the roads which need repair should be repaired before the monsoon. He said that the objective of the Government is to ensure that rural areas continue to have access to strong, safe and comfortable roads.
CM Nitish Kumar also said that reducing the distance between villages and cities will boost social and economic activities. He also directed to widen the rural roads as per the need so that in future it would be possible to travel from any corner of the state to the capital Patna in four hours.
In the programme, CM Nitish Kumar was welcomed by presenting a sapling and a short film on the achievements of the Rural Works Department was screened. The Chief Minister also released a booklet published by the department.
Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi, state BJP president C R Paatil, state in-charge Bhupendra Yadav and other senior party leaders were present on the occasion.