Infrastructure development in Maoist-affected zones of Koraput and Malkangiri has received a boost with the Union Government sanctioning of another Rs657 crore to take up road projects in the left Wing Extremist (lWE)-hit areas.
The State Government pursued the project proposal with the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), which was sent by the Department of Works for Road Requirement Plan (RRP) II and the proposals have been favoured by MoRD, said Principal Secretary Works Nalini Kanta Pradhan.
Though delayed, finally the Centre has sanctioned the much needed infrastructure project, thanks to initiative of Union Minister Home Affairs Rajnath Singh, feel officials.
Singh had promised the State Government during his visit to the State on February 19 last for RRP II after covering the Red zones. Singh felt the need of roads in the Maoist-hit areas and said these road projects will be sanctioned. So Odisha has got another financial support of Rs657.10 crore to develop 24 projects covering 375 km roads.
The MoRD processed applications for 5,412 km road length and 126 bridges in nine lWE States, including Odisha.
Pradhan, who is spearheading the implementation of road projects in the Maoist-hit zones, will be taking up the projects. Though these road projects are funded by the MoRD, but given efficiency and timely implementation of the projects, the State Government has allowed DoW to implement the projects.
RRP II includes important roads like Kalimela-Gomphakonda-Bejngiwada-Orkel, Khairiput- Mathili, Mathili-Kaliaguda, Podia-Sikhapali, Kudumuluguma-Katameta, MV-76-Vejangiwada and several others in Malkangiri district.
Similarly in Koraput district, roads like Narayanpatna-Tentulipadar, Narayanpatna- Borgi, Podapadar-Dumsil, Machhakund-Mundaput and several other important roads are in the project list.
These roads are crisscrossing the Red zone and the Maoists are opposing their construction as their influence will be eroded with more connectivity and movement, feel experts.
As the performance of Odisha is much better in RRP I, the Maoist affected State received the support from Centre, said sources in MoRD. Odisha has been successful in implementing RRP I taken up with a cost of Rs970.61 crore for 14 projects for a road length of 614.80 km and the much- needed Gurupriya bridge. The critical connectivity on bridge sector will connect the mainland with the cut off area.
With construction of bridge over the river Gurupriya is on, hopes of 20,000 inhabitants of 151 villages are hopeful of reaping benefits of development. The villages, across the Balimela reservoir in Malkangiri district, have remained cut off from the mainland for around five decades.
Not only the road projects but also for the massive Gurupriya bridge project, the State police are actively extending the support. The Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) Jawans of BSF and District Voluntary Force (DVF) personnel are helping out in implementation of the bridge, which is all set to be completed during 2016-17, said sources.
Both the Central and State armed forces are providing 24x7 vigil for the Gurupriya bridge and the work is moving at a faster pace after minor hassles, said the senior Superintendent Engineer Bijay Chandra Tripathy, who visited the site recently.