Naveen Patnaik holds a video conference with district collectors. Telegraph picture

Bhubaneswar, June 21: In order to improve road connectivity in rural areas, the Orissa government has given top priority to construction of concrete roads in villages across the state. They have allocated Rs 1,000 crore for this purpose.

Concrete roads are being built under the Gopabandhu Grameen Yojana, 13th finance commission’s grant and Backward Regional Grant Fund.

To expedite the construction of concrete roads, Orissa chief minister Naveen Patnaik today asked district collectors to complete construction of the concrete roads by the end of October.

Naveen issued the direction during a video-conference with district collectors.

The chief minister directed the collectors to identify the place where the concrete roads would be built. The construction work of the concrete roads will be taken up after the rainy season. However, all the survey and preliminary works will be completed during the rainy season.

Naveen asked the collectors to attach priority to build roads in the areas inhabitated by the SC, ST and primitive tribes.

The concrete roads, particularly, coming up in the 19 Maoist-affected districts will be helpful for the security personnel to continue their fight against the Maoists. “Though construction of concrete road involves a lot of money, it will be safe unlike kutcha roads where landmines could be planted with ease,” said a senior police officials.

Besides the concrete roads, the Orissa government has also asked the district collectors to identify places for setting up new police Stations, fire stations and other government offices. The government buildings and police stations have been a soft target of the Maoists. The government has asked the collectors to put top most priority while selecting land for these buildings.