Give faster green nods, complete road projects by March 2026: MHA

NEW DELHI: The home ministry on Monday directed road-building agencies to complete projects in core areas of Left-wing extremism-affected regions by March 2026, underlining that a good road network was a prerequisite for the security forces to establish dominance, reports Dipak Dash.

The agencies were asked to have a "liberal view" while preparing and sanctioning projects, considering the critical requirements of such regions, sources said. States were urged to fast-track forest clearances. While small roads would be built under the PM Gram Sadak Yojna, certain roads in Sukma in Chhattisgarh will be constructed by the Border Road Organisation, officials said.

Sources said the 193 km road work in Chhattisgarh is mostly in the core LWE-hit region of Bastar and work can be taken up only after deployment of security forces. For setting up camps for contractors and storing construction materials, there is a need to have camps of security personnel in every 5 km stretch.

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