Following Niti Ayog’s push for rural connectivity in left wing extremist districts, which have been categorized as ‘aspirational’ (read potential district) a seven kilometer stretch of road is to come up between Kanti - Loha Bandha under Pandu block in Palamu.
DC, Palamu, Shantanu Kumar Agrahari today said that Rural Engineering Organization has been directed to approve technical sanction for this seven Km stretch of road. Once technical sanction is approved then administrative sanction is assured.
Sources said DC inspected this road site on Sunday accompanied by Romil Ravi aspirational district fellow in Palamu and officials of the rural engineering organization.
Sources said Sundays are almost working days here as for last five weeks DC Palamu has been off to distant locations in Palamu on Sundays to oversee the pace of development in times like drought here.
The DC said this stretch of road between Kanti - loha Bandha is of high strategic value as it connects Mahudand which was once upon a time the impregnable fort of the Maoists.
Agrahari said, “Residents of Kanti village face enormous hardships for want of road up to Loha Bandha. Now this will be constructed. There is a PMGSY road between Kanti and Pandu but not up to Loha Bandha.”
He said, “This road will be built with fund from SCA (special central assistance). On completion of this road access to Mahudand will be too easier.”
DC explained, “This road will give a fillip to rural economy here besides security forces reaching its logistics for its camp as well at Mahudand.”
Niti Ayog’s aspirational district fellow in Palamu Romil Ravi said the estimated cost of this seven km stretch of road is expected to be around Rs 5 crore.
As many as115 districts in the country have been branded as aspirational districts and Palamu is one among 115 districts.
As Palamu is an aspirational district its focus is health and nutrition, education, agriculture &water resources, basic infrastructure, financial inclusion and skill development.