Question : CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS IN NAXAL HIT LWE AFFECTED AREAS

(a) whether the Government has prepared and policy/action plan for construction of roads/NHs passing through naxal-hit/left wing extremism (LWE) affected areas/States;

(b) if so, whether any financial assistance is provided by the Government for improving road connectivity into such areas/States;

(c) if so, the details thereof alongwith the details of work sanctioned and financial assistance provided to State Governments for this purpose during the last three years;

(d) the details of the on-going/delayed and pending projects in above areas/States alongwith the time by which these projects are likely to be completed;

(e) the details of roads constructed, State-wise including Madhya Pradesh during each of the last three years alongwith the expenditure incurred thereon;

(f) whether only 20 per cent of roads have been constructed in such areas/States till now; and

(g) if so, the reasons therefor alongwith the action taken by the Government in this regard?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (DR. TUSHAR A. CHAUDHARY)

(a) Yes Sir.

(b) Yes Sir.

(c) The Government has approved a programme for development of 5477 km roads in 34 Left Wing Extremism affected district in 8 States at an estimated cost of Rs. 7300 crore. No work was sanctioned during 2008-2009. The details of works sanctioned during last 2 years are at Annex-I.

(d) The detail of ongoing, delayed (those in slow progress) and projects pending sanctions are at Annex-II. Completion period for the projects varies from 12 to 36 months based on the size of the project.

(e) During 2008-2009, no length of road was constructed and no expenditure was incurred. The detail of roads constructed State-wise including expenditure incurred thereon during last 2 years and current year is at Annex-III.

(f) So far work in 730 km length has been completed.

(g) There has been poor response from contractors for works in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Odisha. Relaxation in eligibility criteria has been given to encourage larger participation of contractors for LWE works. The works are in different stages of implementation.