A total budgetary support of Rs.12,000 crore has been made for development of rural roads including bridges. Out of which a provision of Rs.1,114 crore has been earmarked for North-Eastern region and Sikkim. This was announced by the Finance Minister, Shri Pranab Mukherjee in his Budget speech in Parliament today.
This provision has been made under the Department of Rural Development for Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY). It is expected that about 1.67 lakh habitations will be covered under this programme which would involved construction of 3,65,279 kms. of roads for new connectivity and 3,68,000 kms. under upgradation at an estimated cost of Rs. 1,32,000 crore at 2004-05 prices.
To achieve the targets of Bharat Nirman, 1,46,185 kms. of road length is proposed to be constructed by 2012 to benefit 54648 unconnected eligible habitations in the country. To ensure complete farm to market connectivity, it has also been proposed to upgrade 1,94,130 kms. of the existing associated Through Routes.