Union Joint Secretary reviews implementation of PMGSY in Northern States

SRINAGAR, (KMW News): Union Joint Secretary (RC) and Director General National Rural Roads Development Agency (NRRDA), Dr. P K Anand chaired a Regional meeting convened to review the implementation of flagship programme of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) in Northern States of India here today.
Among others, Director Project-I, NRRDA, Mr. N C Solanki, Director Project-III NRRDA ,Mr. Prabha Kanth Kalari, Commissioner Secretary, R&B J&K State, Mrs. Tanveer Jehan, Director (F&A) NRRDA, Mr. Bhupal Nanda, Joint Director, NRRDA, Mr. A K Jain, DS (RC) Ministry of Rural Development, Mrs. Manju Rajpal, Chief Engineers of PMGSY of Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pardesh and Uttaranchal, CEOs and Empowerment officers of the Northern States attended the meeting.
The aim of the 2-days meeting was to review the proper implementation of the PMGSY in these states and to discuss the issues hampering the execution of works under the scheme.
Dr. Anand reviewed the physical and financial position of the works phase-wise and get first hand appraisal of the status of the projects being executed in the Northern States. He highlighted the importance of rural roads and said that rural roads are vital for accelerating the development process in rural areas. He said the road connectivity provides easy access, promotes economic activities and transform the socio-economic condition of the rural populace.
The Union Joint Secretary stressed the need for strengthen and streamline the men and machinery in implementation of Yojana in their respective states to meet set target under PMGSY. He said the PMGSY was launched in the States to connect rural habitations with the urban, adding that the concerned have to accelerate their measures to complete the projects in time bound manner for the benefit of the rural populace. He said that Union Government is always ahead in extending cooperation for effective implementation of scheme in the Country.
Dr. Anand also asked for paying special attention in maintaining the quality of construction works of roads, adding that they also have to monitor the works regularly and ensure post-construction maintenance of the roads as well. He also asked to properly align the roads and bridges while the project taken into hand.
The meeting was informed that 1787 projects amounting to Rs. 4731.12 crore were approved from Phase-I to VIII to connect 2184 habitations under PMGSY in J&K state, of which 775 works having 4366 kilometers of road length have been completed by expending Rs. 2075.74 crore so far.
The meeting was told that J&K state has 4124 rural routes of 21657 kms according to PCI survey status as per Online Monitoring Management and Accounting System (OMMAS). As many as 61 officers of the state have imparted training under various training programme during 2012-13, the meeting was told.