Question : VIJAYAWADA RANCHI CORRIDOR

(a) whether the proposed road works under Vijayawada-Ranchi Corridor has been abandoned or partly being taken up;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(c) whether the concerned States have submitted estimates in this regard;

(d) if so, the details thereof alongwith the funds allocated and spent in the various sections of the said corridor till date, year-wise;

(e) whether improvement of Koraput-Laxmipur-Rayagada Road and Berhampur-Govindpur-Rayagada Road (NH-17) were originally included in the aforesaid corridor and estimates were submitted by the State Governments including Odisha; and

(f) if so, the details of action taken or proposed to be taken by the Government thereon considering the need of the tribal regions?

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI JITIN PRASADA)

(a) No, Madam.

(b) Does not arise.

(c) & (d) The total length of Vijayawada Ranchi road is 1632 km. Out of this, widening to 2-lane in 600 km length in Odisha, which are not otherwise covered in any Central or State Schemes, has been approved by Government in November, 2010 at an estimated cost of Rs 1200 crore. The State Government of Odisha has submitted 7 estimates for Rs. 1020 crore covering 519 km length, out of which 6 estimates covering 451 km length have been sanctioned at an estimated cost of Rs. 828 crore. An allocation of Rs. 100 crore has been made for 2011-2012, out of which expenditure of Rs. 44 crore has been incurred up to February, 2012.

(e) & (f) The detailed estimate Widening to 2-lane of Berhampur-Taptapani-Rayagada road (SH-17) from km 67/000 to 150/100 and Koraput– Laxmipur - Rayagada Road (SH-4) from km 149/000 to 160/100 in Gajapati and Rayagada district covering 95.48 km length has been sanctioned on Vijayawada-Ranchi route at an estimated cost of Rs. 191.08 crore. NH-17 is not a part of Vijayawada Ranchi Corridor and does not pass through Odisha