Rural Connectivity

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday launched projects worth Rs 21,406.36 crore under the Rural Works Department (RWD), marking a major step toward improving rural connectivity across the state. The projects include the construction of 11,346 roads and 730 small bridges. The CM virtually inaugurated the projects during a function held at his official residence at 1, Anne Marg, here. According to a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), "It is worth noting that under the Rural Roads Strengthening and Management Programme, a new component, Mukhyamantri Gramin Sadak Unnayan Yojana, was launched in 2024. Under this programme, construction of 5,047 roads (total length of 8,893 km) commenced on Thursday, with a total approved cost of Rs 6,198 crore. Additionally, foundation stones were laid for 4,079 roads (total length of 6,484 km), with a total approved cost of Rs 5,627 crore". Through the Mukhyamantri Gramin Setu Yojana, the previously implemented Mukhyamantri

The Budget indicates that the government is seeking participation from the private sector, suggested Aniket Dani, director, CRISIL Research

The Interim Union Budget 2024-25 also focused on women's empowerment through housing facilities under the PM Awas Yojna scheme

Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Thursday said the state has "drastically" improved its performance, registering a record utilisation of Rs 800 crore funds in FY23 for the rural infrastructure development projects assisted by NABARD. He was chairing a meeting to review the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) assisted projects, a state government release said. The minister lauded the role of the finance department and NABARD in smooth implementation enabling high utilisation for the ongoing projects. He also thanked NABARD for sanctioning new projects worth Rs 919 crore, the highest so far for Punjab. The minister urged the NABARD team to enhance the allocation of the state to Rs 1,500 crore for new projects in 2023-24 for improving the rural infrastructure. Cheema also focused on the need to give priority to all the sectors for funding projects this year, including roads and bridges, irrigation, drinking water and sanitation, and renewal energ

Going forward, the focus will be development of a region as a whole, a senior government official said, adding that towards this, as many as 100 projects for area planning has already been taken up

The workshop will feature discussions on use cases of NMP adoption by central Ministries and State Departments

Enabling connectivity in semi-urban and rural areas is one of the key applications that Garuda plans to launch through this partnership

9 states accounting for 80% of unconnected habitations drag with slow rate of road construction