NABARD sanctions Rs 135 cr for Himachal Pradesh

National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has sanctioned Rs 135.20 crore to the Himachal Pradesh government, for the year 2009-10 for creation of rural infrastructure.

According to a NABARD release here, Rs 82.20 crore will go for laying of rural roads, Rs 44.38 crore for construction of eight bridges, and Rs 2.82 crore for seven minor irrigation projects.

Apart from this, Rs 4.03 crore will be used for seven rural drinking water supply projects and Rs 1.77 crore for two flood protection projects under Tranche-XV of Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF).

While the roads and bridges will be constructed by Public Works Department (PWD) in Hamirpur, Kangra, Mandi, Shimla, Sirmour, Solan and Una districts; Irrigation and Public Health Department (IPH) would be implementing the minor irrigation projects in Hamirpur, Chamba, Kangra and Mandi districts.

Rural Drinking Water Projects will be implemented in Bilaspur, Kangra, Sirmour, Solan and Una districts, while flood protection would be implemented in Hamipur and Kullu districts, the release added.

Under these projects, 133.040 kms of all-weather roads will be constructed to connect 412 villages approaching to 192 rural and urban marketing centres and 18 pilgrim centres.