7,110 km rural roads to be rebuilt will be completed in 1.5 years: Minister Priyank Kharge
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Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge on Wednesday said the state government aims to complete all 7,110 km of rural roads being rebuilt under the ‘Pragathi Patha’ scheme within the next 1.5 years.
Responding to a question raised by Congress MLA K M Shivalinge Gowda during the question hour in assembly, he said delays occurred after the Asian Development Bank (ADB), which is funding the project, has raised objections to 293 roads selected by the state government under the scheme.
"Pragati Patha will probably build the biggest rural road network in the country, covering 7,110 km at a cost of Rs 5,180 crore. The project includes Rs 3,242 crore in external funding from ADB, while our (govt) share is Rs 1,443 crore. We have set aside Rs 504 core for maintenance," Kharge said.
Noting that 1,356 roads have been identified across constituencies, he said the ADB has raised objections to 293 roads, which are in Bengaluru Rural, Chamarajanagar, Chikmagalur, Dakshina Kannada, Kodagu, Udupi and Uttara Kannada districts.
"Their (ADB) objections are that these roads come under eco-sensitive zones, reserve forests, they are prone to human-animal conflict, and they contain excess length and face right-of-way issues," he added.
Despite this, detailed project reports (DPRs) have been prepared for 999 roads and 573 are ready for tenders, the Minister said adding, "probably within the next 1-1.5 months, tenders will be floated."
"There has been some delay as the ADB's guidelines are a bit tight. They want 30 percent of the DPRs to be submitted, before the loan negotiations... we are on track," he said.
Assuring that 7,110 km of roads in the rural areas will be completed in the next 1.5 years. Kharge said it will be executed in line with the guidelines.
Responding to a question on concerns raised by BJP MLA Sunil Kumar on objections from the ADB, he said, "We have informed the ADB team that these roads aren’t new, they have existed for 50 years and are motorable... ADB is going into the detailed assessments -- they are looking at bird migratory patterns along the stretch, among other things.”
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Kharge calls NDA ‘opportunist alliance thriving on corruption’ at rally
Puducherry (PTI): Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday said the NDA "is an opportunist alliance that thrives on corruption and the looting of public assets".
Addressing a rally of the INDIA bloc in Puducherry, the Congress president said Prime Minister Narendra Modi "had done nothing" for the union territory’s development.
He urged voters to back the INDIA bloc in the April 9 Assembly polls, calling it "an opportunity for the people to fight against divisive forces led by the BJP and RSS, which are destroying unity, harmony, and the progressive spirit of Puducherry."
Kharge also criticised the BJP for neglecting smaller states like Puducherry and made a strong case for granting it statehood, promising, "Congress will secure statehood—this is a guarantee we give to the people here".
He alleged that under the current AINRC-BJP coalition, Puducherry is "riddled with corruption and a 30 per cent commission system," with the NDA government exploiting the union territory, despite it being "one of the country’s most beautiful places".
He expressed concern over "misuse of funds and stalled development", alleging corruption had "seeped into every sector".
Kharge claimed that despite Prime Minister Modi’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption, "everything in practice is being handed to one person, Adani—from land to skies."
He added that the NDA was "exploiting land, temple lands, and public property."
The Congress leader also criticised the AINRC-BJP rule for granting permits for around 450 liquor shops and restaurants over the last five years, claiming, "Instead of providing clean water, the government has been giving liquor to the people."
Kharge compared the current situation with the previous Congress rule, highlighting development across sectors, particularly healthcare. "Hospitals were established here to take care of the health of the people," he said.
Among his promises, Kharge pledged "gold for mangala sutra" for women if Congress is elected, along with free education from primary school to research level.
He reiterated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s promises to Puducherry had not materialised and renewed his call for full statehood, citing the lack of powers as a "hindrance" to the elected government.
He recalled that during the previous Congress rule, then Chief Minister V Narayanasamy, who was also present, faced interference from then Lt Governor Kiran Bedi.
Kharge said Congress has always stood with the people and would continue to improve their lives through developmental programmes, as it had during earlier administrations.
The meeting was presided over by Puducherry PCC president V Vaithilingam, and among the speakers was S P Sivakumar of the DMK.
