More funds needed for road connectivity: Odisha CM

Bhubaneswar, Nov 25 (IANS) Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to consider hiking the funds allocated for road connectivity in Odisha during fiscal 2014-15.

Patnaik said that while the central government had allocated Rs.1,178 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) for Odisha, only Rs.1,051.50 crore has been released so far.

In a letter, Patnaik urged Modi to release the balance at the earliest, thereby helping in the proper implementation of the central scheme in the state.

"The allocation of Rs.1,178 crore made during the current financial year will not be sufficient and needs to be enhanced to at least Rs.1,800 crore. We have already spent Rs.800 crore," said Patnaik.