5,500 kms of roads approved in Maoist-affected areas: Minister

New Delhi Jan 4 (IANS) The government has sanctioned around 5 500 km of national highways and state roads for improvement of road connectivity in Maoist-hit areas in eight states Parliament was informed on Thursday.

The government had in 2009 approved a Road Requirement Plan (RRP) for Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected areas of 34 districts in eight states - Andhra Pradesh (including Telangana) Bihar Chhattisgarh Jharkhand Madhya Pradesh Maharashtra Orissa and Uttar Pradesh.

"Original RRP envisages development of 5 565 km length of national highways and state roads to two lane at a cost of Rs 7 300 crore " Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Mansukh L. Mandaviya told the Lok Sabha in a written reply.

"As per proposals received from state PWDs based on site requirement a length of 5 422 km was sanctioned for Rs 8 585 crore " he said.

--IANS
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