Bhubaneswar, Jan. 21 -- Highlighting gaps left by the previous (BJD-led) government, Rural Development Minister Rabi Narayan Naik said on Wednesday that 92 bridges earlier had no approach roads. After the present government came to power, land acquisition for 50 such bridges has already been completed, enabling further progress.

The Minister announced that all villages with a population of at least 150 will be provided with road connectivity by 2027. Following a review of budget utilisation by the Rural Development Department, Minister Rabi Naik has directed departmental officials to spend 100 per cent of the allocated budget within the next three months.

The Minister stated that while the target is to construct more than 75,000 roads b...