Tripura Government has sanctioned more than Rs 23 crore to complete road construction works under Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana (PMGSY). State Education Minister Ratan Lal Nath said this in Agartala on Monday.
Nath said, “State Council of Ministers sanctioned a fund of Rs 23 crore 48 to expedite road construction works under the PMGSY in rural areas in Tripura. With this fund, a decision was taken to complete works of 29 roads. Most of these 29 roads are in ADC areas or in indigenous community dominated areas”.
In this connection Nath also detailed about funds received under PMGSY for construction of roads in the State. He said, “Under the PMGSY, the State received Rs 3164 crore 96 lakh in the first phase and in the second phase, Tripura got Rs 333 crore. In the third phase, completion of works woild require around Rs 1000 crore”.
The Education Minister told media Central construction agencies, HSCL and NBCC, and State Government’s PWD are implementing the construction works. He continued and said, “During regime of former Prime Minister AB Vajpayee in 2001, the PMGSY was started to enhance road communication in rural areas. To this end a tripartite pack was signed between the Central Government, Construction agencies and State Government.
“As per the agreement, the construction agencies would hand over the roads to the State Government in good condition after maintaining those for five years after construction”, Nath said.
Even as the Central Construction agencies are supposed to do maintenance of the roads for five years, in many cases, people are unhappy with the central agencies. People of several areas under Ampi and other remote areas are facing troubles due to deplorable road conditions.
“It is important that concerned authority monitor the works of implementing agencies properly. In many cases, public grievances and complains regarding quality of works and maintenance of roads remain unaddressed”, alleged a school teacher of Ampi nagar.