Make roads to counter Maoists: Centre to AP

Hyderabad
Nov.11: The Centre has asked the state government to construct new roads in Naxal-hit areas on a war footing.
It has released Rs 184 crore for the construction of 11 roads including Rajahmundry-Bhadrachalam Road and the Yellandu-Pakhal Road. The funds are being provided under the anti-Left Wing Extremism (LWE) scheme.
The roads and buildings department has finalised the work that will be taken up in Khammam district which shares borders with Chhattisgarh. The neighbouring state is in the grip of Naxal menace. Though many Naxalites are taking shelter in the border areas of Andhra Pradesh, the security forces are unable to enter the dense forests. In order to help the forces enter the Maoist areas, the Centre is giving a lot of importance to develop roads, sources said.
The government has also sought additional funds to construct roads in the forest areas of Srikakulam, Vizia-nagaram and Visakhapatnam. “The Centre has observed that Naxal activities can be tackled when there is proper road connectivity. The forest department permits laying of roads in forest areas when funds are released under the LWE scheme,” an official said.