Officials informed the meeting that during the 2015-16, 25

schemes at an estimated cost of Rs 785.56 crore have been sanctioned by GoI.

Inter state connectivity is an important sub component of CRF funding. Construction of 1210 meter span double lane RCC bridge over Ravi River at village Keerian Gandial (Kathua) has been sanctioned by the government and taken up at an estimated cost of Rs 158.84 crore under the scheme, they said.

Divulging details about the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), an official said that the scheme was launched in December 2000 as a fully funded CSS to provide all weather road connectivity in rural areas of the country.

"The programme envisages connecting all eligible unconnected habitations with a population of 500 persons and above in plain area and 250 persons and above in hilly areas/states," the officer said, adding, "J&K State is in the hilly category as such all the habitations having 250 plus population qualify for the connectivity".

Akhtar said that infrastructure deficit has been persistent in the state because of its topography.

He said that PWD could be a vital department in bridging the gap and help the state to emerge on the infrastructure front.

(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)