Empowering rural areas, Assam CM directs PWD to complete construction of roads ensuring all weather connectivity

Guwahati, July 1: Empowering the rural areas, the central government has slated various measures to connect the rural sectors with the mainland. Committing to the promises, the state of Assam has been ardent in fulfilling what was promised to the masses. Working on same, the Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal directed Public Works Department (PWD) to expeditiously complete construction of rural roads under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) to ensure all weather farm-to-market connectivity.

The Chief Minister also hailed the role of PWD for constructing 4300 km of roads last year as against only 17000 km of roads in the last 17 years spanning 2000 to 2016. Taking review of the progress of the roads constructed in the state under PMGSY, CM Sonowal said that roads are harbinger of economy and therefore, all roads, should be made motorable to establish link of the rural habitations with rural growth centres, rural hubs to provide markets, banking and other facilities leading to the creation of self-employment and livelihood opportunities.

He also stressed on completion of 1069 bridges in the rural areas to facilitate seamless transportation in the villages for optimal use of resources. Since PMGSY was launched to connect all unconnected habitations, the chief minister advocated for inclusion of tea garden areas under PMGSY and asked the concerned functionary to prepare a proposal to be sent to the centre for its approval. He maintained that since tea garden areas are considered potential growth centres and they constitute large chunk of the rural areas, a good number of people will be left out of the benefits of PMGSY if tea gardens kept out of the ambit of PMGSY.

Along with other 32 districts, CM Sonowal also took stock of the progress of the PMGSY in Majuli district. He asked PWD, Road Commissioner Rajesh Kemprai to complete the remaining 118 km of roads out of 168 km roads sanctioned under PMGSY in Majuli.

The chief minister also pitched in for maintenance legacy of rural roads and spoke in favour of pool of funds for the same. He emphasised that the people of the villages should be involved in keeping the rural roads in good stead so that they look after the roads as their own properties. He also asked the commissioner Kemprai to reactivate the monitoring team to inspect maintenance work of the roads in various districts.