The projects are expected to benefit over 10 lakh people in state by way of creating and upgrading the road and bridge length of 2,000 km and 17.13 km respectively

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development has sanctioned financial assistance of Rs 4,013 crore to Odisha, the highest in the country, for critical rural infrastructure development under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund during 2021-22.

In a press release, the Nabard said: "During the year, major thrust has been given to the improvement in the rural connectivity sector in the state (RIDF assistance of Rs 2,568 crore constituting around 64 per cent of total sanction of the state) through construction of rural roads and bridges."

These projects are expected to benefit more than 10 lakh people in the state by way of creating and upgrading the road and bridge length of 2,000 km and 17.13 km respectively.

The drinking water sector has also been given due importance through financial assistance of Rs 840 crore for nine Mega Piped Water Supply Projects aimed at providing clean, treated and safe drinking water at doorstep to approximately 17 lakh rural population in the state. Financial assistance of Rs 605 crore has been extended for various infrastructure development in agri allied and irrigation sector.

"With the sanction under the current year, the total cumulative sanctions since inception of RIDF has crossed Rs 32,100 crore for Odisha," said the press release.