CHANDIGARH: The Haryana Government has got Rs.447 crore sanctioned from Central Government under Pardhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojna for upgradation of 108 road works in the State involving a total length of 1085.23 kilometers.

While stating this here Thursday, Parliamentary Secretary, PWD(B&R), Paramvir Singh said that the Union Ministry of Rural Development had cleared upgradation of 108 road works in the State. He said that this step would be a boon for the State as after upgradation of the roads, better infrastructure would be made available to 324 habitations covering 20 districts.

While enumerating the details of the works and manpower to be engaged for executing the works, Paramvir said that about 39,000 metric tonnes of Bitumen, 55,000 metric tonnes of cement, 550 Metric Tonnes of steel would be used for the upgradation of these roads and it would
generate employment of 20.71 lakh mandays.

Paramvir expressed his gratitude to the Chief Minister for getting sanctioned a bonaza for the State under the Pardhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojna as this ambitious project would help in providing better arteries in the State. He also lauded the efforts of the officers of PWD(B&R) Department for getting cleared all these projects at Pre-Empowered Committee meeting which was held under the chairmanship of Secretary, Union Ministry of Rural Development recently.

Parliamentary Secretary said that during the regime of present government, as many as 362 kms roads had also been taken up under Pardhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojna at a cost of Rs.84.25 crore during 2005-06. He said that similarly, 619 km long roads had also been taken up at an estimated cost of Rs.199.64 crore during the last financial year. He said that these sanctions given under Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojna were more than the sanctions given during  two previous years.
 
Paramvir directed the officers of the department that quality of the work should be maintained at all costs. He also directed the engineers of the department to maintain quality in design and
construction while upgrading these roads. He was of the opinion that with a view to ensure quality, five years maintenance after the construction be also made a part of the contract as the contractor would be responsible for all the maintenance works for five years after the completion of the roads.