Hyderabad: The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) of the Union Government has approved the release of Rs 176.5 crore to Telangana under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme.
Under the scheme, states are eligible to receive the incentive amount for achieving the laid-out milestone.
As per an order issued by the Ministry, Telangana has completed activities under Milestone 1 and Milestone 2 of Initiative A and Milestone 1 of Initiative B. Telangana is eligible for Rs 125 crore in Initiative A and Rs 51.5 crore in Initiative B.
For Milestone 1 of Initiative A, Telangana notified and implemented MV Tax concession. The total eligible incentive under this milestone is Rs 50 crore, reads the order.
For Milestone 2 of Initiative A, the state submitted a plan for scrapping government vehicles older than 15 years and scrapped vehicles against the target. The total eligible incentive under this milestone is Rs 75 crore.
For Milestone 1 Initiative B, Telangana awarded Automated Testing Stations (ATSs) in 37 districts, out of which, 21 ATSs have been awarded in priority districts. The state is eligible for Rs 31.5 crore and Rs 20 crore for non-priority districts. The total eligible incentive under this milestone is Rs 51.5 crore.
Meanwhile, Telangana Minister for Roads and Buildings Komatireddy Venkat Reddy has directed the department’s officials to speed up the construction of roads under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM).
He asked officials to follow rules in taking up the works categorised into three sections – missing link roads to district headquarters, roads connecting district headquarters with the state capital and upgradation of the existing road infrastructure.
At a meeting, the minister directed them to identify consultants to prepare detailed project reports pertaining to HAM roads. He said priority should be given to roads which are in bad condition.
The meeting was held with senior R&B officials to review the progress of roads taken up under the HAM.
(IANS)
