New Delhi: In a major push to bolster rural infrastructure and accelerate economic development, the Ministry of Rural Development has sanctioned a fresh batch of connectivity projects to the northeastern state of Tripura and eastern state of Odisha under the Connectivity Component of the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN).
The sanctioned projects aim to enhance all-weather road connectivity for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), aligning with the government’s vision of Viksit Bharat and inclusive development.
Tripura to Get 25 New Roads
Under the latest sanction, 25 roads measuring 84.35 km have been approved for Tripura at an estimated investment of ₹76.47 crore. This adds to the 42 roads (118.75 km) worth ₹114.32 crore already sanctioned earlier under PM-JANMAN, taking the total investment in rural connectivity in Tripura under this scheme to nearly ₹191 crore.
Odisha to Receive Roads and Bridges
Similarly, 26 new roads (63.27 km) and 2 long span bridges (LSBs) have been sanctioned for Odisha, with a combined estimated cost of ₹69.65 crore. Previously, 66 roads (211.14 km) and 4 long span bridges worth ₹219.40 crore had already been approved for the state under the same initiative.
With this, the total infrastructure projects sanctioned under PM-JANMAN in Odisha now stand at over ₹289 crore, targeting better access for tribal habitations across remote and forested areas.
Transformative Impact for Tribal Communities
The projects are designed to provide much-needed road connectivity to PVTG habitations, dramatically improving the socio-economic conditions of some of the country’s most marginalized communities.
The initiative is expected to:
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Bridge the urban-rural divide by connecting remote tribal villages with urban centers.
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Boost trade, commerce, and employment in tribal regions.
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Improve access to essential services like healthcare, education, and local markets.
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Stimulate local economies by generating infrastructure-related jobs and improving mobility.
Officials stated that these infrastructure projects will significantly transform the development landscape of tribal regions and reaffirm the government’s commitment to inclusive growth and social justice.
