Bhubaneswar: Out of 26,262 km road to be covered in the eighth phase of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), the state has covered 19,162 km road connecting 5,793 villages so far. While the total allocation of this phase was Rs 6,012 crore, the state government has utilised Rs 3,280 crore, till date. This places the state at the fourth position in the country in implementation of the centre-sponsored scheme. This was informed at a high-level review meeting convened to study the development of the programme. chief minister Mr Naveen Patnaik presided over the meeting here yesterday.

The chief minister directed the concerned officials to invite tender for rest 7,100 km road, for which Rs 1,612 crore will be spent and start work by January end. He also asked to initiate work for rest Rs 1,588 crore.
He also asked to coordinate with the NGOs in supplying drinking water to rural areas.The meeting was attended by rural development and industries minister Mr Biswa Bhusan Harichandan, finance minister Mr Prafulla Chandra Ghadei, development commissioner Dr. RN Bohidar, water resources secretary Mr. Aurobinda Behera and other senior officers.