Bhubaneswar, October 18 ( Odisha.in) The condition of National Highways in Orissa are in bad shape and lack of maintenance due to apathetic attitude of National Highway Authority of India , has gone well with the Union Road Transport and Highways Minister T.R.Baalu.
Appreciating the concern of the Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in this regard , Baalu has assured to visit the state shortly to see himself the condition with a promise to provide required funds to improve the condition of the highways.
Baalu has assured to increase the present allocation of funds of Rs.85 crore to Rs.130 crore for the maintenance and development of the existing National Highways besides the immediate sanction of Rs.55 crore as proposed by Orissa governmentfor the early repair and restoration of the NH-125- Panikoili-Rajamunda , the life line mineral based industries in the state., said official sources.
The Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Baalu will hold detailed discussion with the state authorities during his ensuing visit, said the official.
Chief Minister Patnaik ,who is on a four day visit to New Delhi Thursday met Baalu and drew his attention the maladies of highways particularly the NH-215 being maintained by the Central , National Highway authority of India and urged for the early construction of the Inter-state Ranchi-Vijaywada road project .
Since the proposed Ranchi-Vijayawada inter-state road project ,which runs through the most backward districts and Maoist affected regions , would act as a Security corridors and help develop the tribal areas, the union Minister said that the project, Union Road Transport and Highway Ministery would undertake its survey immediately, he said.
The Minister has agreed to convene a joint meeting of Chief Minister’s of three states Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Jharkhand, to sosrt out important issues relating to the Proposed inter-state road project to be taken up with cenetral assistance, the sources said.
Besides, the Chief Minister also sought urgent allocation of funds for repair and restoration of damaged roads in flood affected areas .
Odisha.in