Decoding Numbers
* The progress of work has gradually declined since 2004-05. It is the same period when a dedicated agency — the WBSRDA — took up the work of the implementation of the PMGSY in the state.
* The targets were achieved in the beginning years of the scheme being launched. But it started slowing down. Out of the 152 roads that were sanctioned in 2004-05, only 70 roads have been completed. Similarly, in the financial year 2005-06 the construction of 129 roads were sanctioned by the Centre in assistance with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and 233 roads were sanctioned under PMGSY. A year later, only 35 of 129 roads sanctioned with the ADB’s assistance were completed. For the PMGSY scheme it was more dismal as only two of 233 roads were completed.
* Malda and South 24 Parganas districts top the list of worst performers in the state. While 39 per cent of the sanctioned work has been completed in Malda till March 2007, the situation in South 24 Parganas is slightly better with 49 per cent of work being completed.
* Around 50 to 55 per cent of the sanctioned works have been completed in Midnapore (East and West), North 24 Parganas, Burdwan and Birbhum districts.
* While the progress of West Bengal relative to other states is quite good (around 70 per cent), it could solely be attributed to the excellent progress in the initial years. But in 2005-06, the progress is only around 30 per cent of the target, which is lower than Haryana, Gujarat, Chattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Punjab.