Metro India News | Hyderabad 

The Panchayat Raj department recorded Rs 147.70 crore loss due to damage to its roads in rural areas during recent heavy rains across the state. Informing the said loss to state Panchayat Raj minister Seethakka, the officials stated that the rural roads under the Panchayat Raj department had suffered the damage due to heavy rains. A total of 84.97 km of roads had been damaged. According to preliminary estimates, surface roads were damaged in 48 areas.

About Rs 3.32 crore will be spent for temporary restoration and Rs 42.63 crore for their permanent restoration. Besides, the culverts, low cause ways and cross drain structures were also damaged in 77 areas. As per the estimates, about Rs 1.55 crore is required for their temporary restoration and Rs 57.60 crore cost for permanent restoration. Roads have been breached in 30 areas and the cost of their temporary restoration is Rs 1.06 crore and cost for permanent restoration is Rs 5.45 crore. In all, the roads were damaged in 124 areas, they added.

Assuring that there is no shortage of funds, Minister Seethakka said that necessary funds for temporary repairs are available with the district collectors. The officials should utilize such funds ensuring that the movement of people was not hampered, she noted.