Orissa demands Rs300 crore for Vijaywada-Ranchi road

Seeking inclusion of four more districts under the left wing extremist-hit area development scheme, Orissa government today asked the Centre to sanction
at least Rs300 crore for early construction of Vijaywada-Ranchi road, the lifeline of tribal hinterland.

The state's concern relating to the development of the Maoist-hit areas was apprised to union cabinet secretary KM Chandrasekhar by chief Secretary TK Mishra here through a video conference.

Stating that Vijaywada-Ranchi road was the lifeline of tribal hinterland of the state, the chief secretary pointed out that the Centre did not allot any money for its
construction last year.

Terming the road connectivity as an 'urgent' requirement for bringing socio-economic changes in Maoist-hit districts, Mishra said Vijaywada-Ranchi road could change the fate of the tribal population.

Besides, the Centre should include  Koraput, Kandhamal, Mayurbhanj and Sundargarh districts in the list of left wing extremist-hit area development scheme, he said.