Rs 385 cr for Uttaranchal roads

Our Bureau

NEW DELHI, Nov. 8.

THE Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways, Major General B.C. Khanduri, said that a total of Rs 385 crore has been sanctioned for roads in Uttaranchal during the current financial year.

Speaking at the first anniversary of the formation of the State, he said the Centre and the State Government have worked in close co-operation last year to carry out large-scale development activity in the State.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sarak Yojana, an amount of Rs 60 crore was sanctioned last year for development of rural roads in Uttaranchal, the Minister said. ``Efforts have been made to get it enhanced to over Rs 120 crore in the current year,'' he said.

For National Highways in Uttaranchal, an allocation of Rs 265 crore has been made for the current year, he said. This amount includes the already sanctioned Rs 24.15 crore for strengthening of National Highways falling within the State. It also includes the double laning of Rishikesh-Joshimath-Badrinath-Mana Section of NH No. 58, he said.

A total of 20 works have been sanctioned in Uttaranchal State at an estimated cost of Rs 71 crore under the Central Road Fund, inter-state connectivity and Economic Importance Scheme, the Minister said.

The Almora-Ghat road will be improved under the Economic Importance Scheme, he said.