Jal Jeevan Mission: The Shivraj government of Madhya Pradesh approved several important proposals related to rural infrastructure and development in the state cabinet meeting on Tuesday. The most important decision in the meeting was related to Jal Jeevan Mission, under which the government itself will bear the increased cost of 8,358 revised schemes. The objective of these schemes is to provide tap water in every village.
The cost of these revised projects has increased by an additional Rs 2,813.21 crore, which is about 13.55 percent of the total cost. Earlier, the estimated cost of these schemes was Rs 6,213.76 crore, but after the revision, it increased to Rs 9,026.97 crore. Since there will be no support from the Center in this additional cost, the state government has decided to bear this burden itself.
Villagers will get tap water
So far, 27,990 schemes have been approved in the state under the Jal Jeevan Mission. Of these, 15,947 have been completed, while work is in progress on 12,043. If the government had not made these amendments, about 7 lakh rural families would have been deprived of tap water. This is the reason why the cabinet has approved the schemes in a revised form despite the increase in cost. The government believes that solving the problem of drinking water in rural areas is a priority and additional expenditure will also be made for this.
Approval to Indore-Ujjain Greenfield Road Project
The second major decision in the cabinet meeting was related to Indore-Ujjain Greenfield Road. This project will be developed under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM), and its total cost, including land acquisition, has been estimated at Rs 2,935 crore. Service roads will also be built on both sides of the road, so that traffic can be smooth and safe.
This ambitious road project will include 34 underpasses, 2 flyovers, a railway overbridge, 7 medium-sized bridges, and 2 major junctions. Along with this, the administrative approval given earlier to the Public Works Department has been canceled, and a new approval has been given.
Infrastructure in Ujjain for Simhastha
The cabinet also stressed on strengthening the infrastructure in Ujjain, keeping in mind the upcoming Simhastha fair. Administrative approval of Rs 371.11 crore has been given for the construction of a four-lane road at Hari Phatak railway crossing and a 980-meter-long new railway overbridge at Hari Phatak intersection. The government believes that these projects will provide better traffic facilities to lakhs of devotees during Simhastha.
New development on the Narmada-Timarni road
The cabinet has also decided to develop the Narmada-Timarni road. This 72.18 km long road will be developed into two lanes with paved shoulders. This project will also be completed under the hybrid annuity model and an administrative approval order of Rs 972.16 crore has been issued for it.
New pace of development
These decisions of the Madhya Pradesh government are being seen as strengthening the infrastructure in the state and providing basic facilities to rural areas. Jal Jeevan Mission will provide pure tap water to rural families, while projects like Indore-Ujjain Greenfield Road and Narmada-Timarni Road will give a new impetus to the state’s economy and connectivity.
The government believes that in the coming time, these projects will not only increase employment opportunities but will also give impetus to balanced development between rural and urban areas.