AP government changes nodal agency road project

Hyderabad: The AP government has changed the nodal agency for the preparation of a Detailed Project Report for the road connectivity project intended for Maoist-affected areas.

From the transport, roads and buildings department, the job has shifted to the Panchayat Raj department which is in the portfolio of minister Nara Lokesh. 

The Detailed Project Reports will be sent to the Centre for its approval.

Visakhapatnam district is the worst left-wing extremism-affected district. East Godavari, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts are included in the road connectivity project and a total of 119 roads and 9 bridges have been identified. 

The Centre has taken up the project under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana in 44 worst affected LWE districts and adjoining districts, critical from the security point of view. For this project the Centre has allotted Rs 11,724 crore. 

The fund sharing pattern is 60:40 ratio between the Centre and state governments and for special category states the ratio is 90:10 between centre and state governments.

In Visakhapatnam,  East Godavari, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts, the state government has identified 119 roads and 9 bridges/ Check dams.