BHUBANESWAR: The State Government has set a target to develop over 5500 kms of road during the 12th Plan period by utilising `10,277 crore.
In the first two years, nearly 1300 kms of road have been improved and 40 bridges constructed, Minister for Rural Development Badrinarayan Patra said.
Replying to a discussion on demand for grants of the Works department on behalf of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Patra said the Government has planned to construct an Express Highway to connect KBK districts with northern and southern parts of the State.
The Minister said 460.96 kms of the Vijayawada-Ranchi Highway have been completed with an expenditure of `785.82 crore. Of 1205-km stretch of road passing through the State, 239.30 km is National Highway (NH).
Of the remaining 965.75-km State road, 936 kms are under different stages of construction.
The Minister said the Centre has sanctioned `948.56 crore for development of road connectivity in five Naxal affected districts of Malkangiri, Rayagada, Deogarh, Sambalpur and Gajapati. The department has developed 376 kms of roads by utilising `545.35 crore by March, 2014.