Odisha seeks Rs.2,100 crore for rural projects

Odisha has sought Rs.2,100 crore from rural development lender NABARD to build new bridges and roads as well as irrigation and other projects in rural areas.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Thursday met NABARD chairman Harsh Kumar Bhanwala and sought the fund under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF).

Patnaik proposed an investment of Rs.1,337 crore, which includes Rs.500 crore for bridges and Rs.200 crore each for roads and borewell projects, the Chief Minister's Office said.

He also proposed Rs.752 crore for drinking water projects in Nuapada district where ground water has become contaminated with fluoride.

"The state government has asked for more fund for rural infrastructure. We will be considering the proposal," Bhanwala told reporters.

NABARD has provided Rs.10,698 crore over the years to the state so far. Projects worth Rs.1,055 crore were sanctioned during 2013-14.

Till December 2014, projects with a loan of Rs.1,354 crore were sanctioned.

Around one lakh completed irrigation projects under RIDF have created additional irrigation facilities for over 8.65 lakh hectares of cultivated land in the state, an official said.

A total of 236 rural road projects with a length of 2,280 km have been completed, while 422 bridges with a total length of 40,700 metres have been built.

These projects have provided connectivity to more than 20 lakh rural people in 10,903 villages in the state.