NABARD sanctions Rs 286 cr for Punjab

CHANDIGARH: NABARD has sanctioned Rural Infrastructure Development Fund ( RIDF) loan of Rs 286 crore for raising and strengthening rural roads in Punjab.

Stating this, National Bank for Agriculture & Rural Development (NABARD), Punjab, Naresh Gupta, Chief General Manager said the project aims to improve rural infrastructure through provision of better roads and bridges.

A total length of 1,567.18 km of roads will be strengthened by increasing crust thickness and enhancing the capacity of the roads for carrying on increased traffic intensity smoothly.

"Once completed, the project is expected to benefit 29 lakh people residing in 1259 villages spread across 20 districts of the Punjab State. It would provide connectivity to 148 urban and 498 rural marketing centres," he said.

With the sanction of this project, cumulative sanction to Punjab under RIDF during 2013-14 has reached at Rs 474 crore for various infrastructure projects in rural areas.