By the end of 2013, union government would award road projects totaling a length of 380 km in the Left Wing Extremism (LWE) areas spanning five states.

The projects would benefit Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Odisha.

Out of the 380 km, 174 km may be awarded by September and the remaining by December this year, reports indicate.

The road ministry awarded all the highway projects in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh. Highway projects to the tune of 289 km will be awarded in Chhattisgarh, 61 km in Jharkhand, 23 km in Maharashtra, 7 km in Uttar Pradesh and 1.25 km in Odisha, during the year.

In February 2009, the cabinet cleared Road Requirement Plan for improvement of 5,477 km roads in 34 districts of eight states affected by Left Wing Extremism.

The ministry approved 5,469 km for award, of which 5,089 km has been awarded and the remaining 380 km will be done by December, this year.

At an investment of Rs 3,106 crore, the government completed projects totaling a length of 2,533 km and during 2013-14, the road ministry plans to complete 1,000 km. The balance is proposed to be completed during 2014-15.