PMGSY-3 approval to facilitate inclusive development of U’khand: Trivendra

PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE | Dehradun

In a written reply to the question raised by the Member of Lok Sabha from Haridwar and former chief minister of Uttarakhand, Trivendra Singh Rawat, the Union Minister of State for Rural Development, Kamlesh Paswan informed that a total of 212 roads (length 2288 km) and nine bridges have been approved for Uttarakhand under PMGSY-3. The purpose of these roads is to connect rural agricultural markets, higher secondary schools and health centres through road networks to the immense benefit of the rural people of the State, the Union Minister further stated in the reply.

Rawat had raised questions regarding the number of roads sanctioned to Uttarakhand under the third phase of PMGSY and the possible impact of these projects to education, health and access to remote markets during the monsoon session of the Parliament.

The Union Minister of State also informed that under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, priority is being given to local, non-traditional and environment-friendly green technologies in road construction. These include cold mix technology, utilisation of waste plastic and cement concrete panels.

These technologies are reducing the emission of greenhouse gases and heavy particles that harm the environment, reducing dependence on traditional construction materials and making the construction process more sustainable and green, the Minister observed in the reply.

Upon receiving the reply, Rawat expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Rural Development Ministry for this important approval for his State. He said that these roads would not only connect remote areas to the mainstream but ensure access of villagers to education, health and livelihood opportunities. “This is a big step towards the inclusive development of Uttarakhand,” he noted.