(a) whether the Government has recently decided to approve the Vijayawada-Ranchi Highway passing through the naxal affected areas;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the funds released for this purpose; and
(d) the time by which the project is likely to be completed?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI R. P. N. SINGH)
(a) & (b): Yes, Sir. The Government has approved on 05-11-2010 an investment of
Rs. 1200 crore for improvement of the remaining 600 km stretches in Odisha to 2-lane
standards to cover 2-laning of entire 1632 km long Vijayawada-Ranchi road passing
through Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Jharkhand.
(c): It is too early to release funds for the project as funds are released linked with
actual construction, which is to be started after completing tender formalities and award.
(d): The project is likely to be completed by March 2014.