Bhubaneswar: The state government has urged the Centre to approve 99 more road projects worth Rs 900 crore in 12 Left-wing Extremism (LWE)-affected districts to strengthen surface communication.The state works department has sent a list containing 97 roads and two bridges in the LWE-hit districts of Malkangiri, Koraput , Rayagada, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nuapada Balangir , Bargarh, Deogarh, Sambalpur and Boudh, official sources said.Works secretary Nalini Kanta Pradhan said around 100 road projects were under construction as part of phases I and II of the Centre's road requirement plan. Pradhan added that the proposed roads would boost connectivity in the Red-hit areas and accelerate development.Sources said of the 99 roads, the most - 27 - will be built in the worst-hit Malkangiri and Koraput districts for Rs 240 crore. Kalahandi will get 10 roads, Kandhamal nine, Nuapada six, Balangir 11, Bargarh four, Deogarh, Rayagada, Nabarangpur and Sambalpur seven each and Boudh four.The projects assume significance as the state government has given the highest priority to strengthening infrastructure in the LWE-hit districts. Chief secretary A P Padhi regularly reviewed the status of the ongoing projects, said an official source.Chief minister Naveen Patnaik recently dedicated the 910metre Gurupriya bridge in Malkangiri connecting the cut-off areas. He also announced a special package of Rs 100 crore to accelerate development. The money will be spent on enhancing road connectivity, providing electricity connection, drinking water, livelihood support and strengthening healthcare services in the area.

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