Lok Sabha Debates
Need To Retain Normal Annual Allocation Of Rs.190 Crores For Rural Road ... on 7 August, 2003
nt> Title: Need to retain normal annual allocation of Rs.190 crores for rural road connectivity in Andhra Pradesh. – Laid DR. RAMANAIDU DAGGUBATI (BAPATLA) : Sir, the Ministry of Rural Development has indicated that the allocation for PMGSY Phase-IV for Andhra Pradesh will only be Rs.90 crores as against normal annual allocation of Rs.190 crores. This is on the plea that there are no significant number of unconnected habitations in the State.
Andhra Pradesh is predominantly a rural State with 72.65% of population living in rural areas. There are 67,505 habitations out of which only 53,986 habitations are connected with some kind of road leaving 13,519 habitations without any connectivity. Under the PMGSY in the State only 4380 habitations could be connected till now.
Many of the habitations in the Andhra Pradesh are connected with earthern and gravel roads which are in a bad shape. It would require an amount of Rs.5422 crores to bring up the entire road network in the State to that of an acceptable standard under PMGSY.
Under these circumstances, the present allocation of Rs.190 crores itself may not be sufficient if the road has to be upgraded to all weather standards as per the norms of PMGSY.
I request the Government of India to review the status and retain the normal annual allocation of Rs.190 crores for rural road connectivity to connect all habitations in Andhra Pradesh.