New Delhi:
The government has sanctioned Rs 444.48 crore for the development of 22 road projects in three Naxal affected states - Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
The projects approved by the Transport Ministry include development of seven stretches of state roads with a total length of 135.46 km in Andhra Pradesh, and 13 stretches totalling 261.20 km in Chattisgarh, an official statement said.
Two stretches with a total length of 66.70 km would be developed in Madhya Pradesh, the statement added.
Besides this, 25 proposals envisaging an investment of Rs 1,180.83 crore are also being considered. These include projects in Jharkhand, Orissa and Uttar Pradesh.
In February, the government had approved schemes for development of national highways and state roads in Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected areas in eight states at an estimated cost of Rs 7,300 crore.
Under the scheme, development of 1,202 km of national highways and 4,363 km of state roads are to be taken up in a phased manner over the next three years, subject to adequate security arrangements to be provided by the states.
An allocation of Rs 500 crore has been made for the year 2009-2010.