(Image source from: })

The NDA Government is planning to build roads and bridges to connect the 10 Naxal-affected States. Plans are under way to launch Road Requirement Plan (RRP)-II, which will be on lines with RRP-I. RRP-I was initiated in 2009 by the UPA government.

The main purpose behind the idea is to make sure smooth movement of the security forces. The states were asked to submit suggestions by the Home Ministry.

The Home Ministry’s senior official said, “We are preparing a Cabinet note and will send it for approval soon. RRP-II will be for inter-State connectivity.”

“We have always believed that a two-pronged approach is required to end Naxal violence: one is security operations and the other is development. As RRP-I is still under implementation, we will initiate RRP-II after it is completed,” the official added.

In the Naxal-affected States, over one lakh men belonging to the Central police forces were deployed, but due to improper inter-State connectivity, their operations have been hampered in many occasions.

Focus of RRP-II

The focus of RRP-I, which is still being implemented, was on the connectivity in the 35 districts, which were affected by left-wing extremism. The priority of RRP-II is on “critical bridges” connecting two or more States to facilitate smooth movements of security forces. The new project is likely to cover not just 35 worst-affected districts but all 106 Naxal-affected districts.

As per the data, 30% of the 5,477-km roads slated to be built under RRP-I are still to be finished. NDA has added 777 km of roads to it after it came to power in 2014.

An estimated cost of Rs. 8,000 crore is allotted for RRP-II.

Proposals from states

As per the proposals from the AP and Telangana, along with Visakhapatnam and Khammam, which fall under the 35 worst-affected districts, more eight are to be added to the project. Maharashtra proposed the coverage of critical bridges and border roads under RRP-II. Chhattisgarh proposed an empowered committee constituted under the Home Ministry for timely action on road projects.

-Sumana