Dhanbad, Sept. 27: Naxalite-hit areas of Dhanbad will soon witness a slew of development projects with the state government providing Rs 10 crore funds to the district, which is among 10 that are not bracketed under the left-wing extremism category.

Eight roads will be built, at a cost of over Rs 50 lakh each, in the blocks of Tundi, Topchanchi, Govindpur and Baghmara. Five culverts pegged at less than Rs 50 lakh each have been also been planned in the areas. The public works department (PWD) and Rural Engineering Organisation (REO) will take up the projects under the state government’s Non Integrated Action plan (NIAP).

Tenders for a majority of the projects have been floated.

The executive engineer of the PWD has given technical approval to the culvert projects while the superintending engineer of the department has given his nod to the road plans. The funds were handed to the district in the first week of August. Sources said desilting of ponds were also initially planned under the scheme. However, the idea was shelved following heavy rain.

A three-member committee headed by the DC and comprising the SP and divisional forest officer has been formed. It has been granted authority and freedom to implement the development projects.

Dhanbad DC S.K. Burnwal said that NIAP, as opposed to other plans, offered flexibility to the district officials to bring in changes according to area-specific requirement. “The funds under NIAP are untied (direct money) and plans can be made at the local level,” Burnwal told The Telegraph.

He added that the projects would help check migration from rural areas, particularly those bordering Naxalite-hit neighbouring districts.