Ahead of the crucial state assembly elections, the West Bengal government is gearing up for a massive rural infrastructure push. The administration is set to launch the construction of over 9,000 kilometres of new rural roads across the state under its flagship Pathashree project.
High-Level Review and District-Level Rollout
The blueprint for this large-scale initiative was finalized after a detailed review meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Manoj Pant with all District Magistrates (DMs) on Saturday. The meeting laid down a clear plan for the project's execution and inauguration.
To ensure a unified and impactful launch, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will inaugurate the programme centrally on a single day, which will be observed across all districts simultaneously. This signals one of the most significant rural connectivity drives undertaken by the state in recent years.
Following the central inauguration, block-wise ceremonies will be organized in every district. The Chief Secretary has directed the DMs to ensure the mandatory presence of local public representatives at each of these local events, highlighting the government's outreach.
Transparency and Public Awareness Drive
Emphasizing accountability and transparency, the state has issued specific instructions for public information. The administration has been told to widely publicize the new roadworks using hoardings, banners, and flex displays in the concerned areas.
These publicity materials must clearly indicate:
- The specific locations where roads have been built.
- The total length of the constructed roads.
- The name of the project under which the construction is being carried out.
In a significant move for governance transparency, the state has mandated the installation of detailed boards at both the start and end points of every newly-built road. These boards will publicly display three key pieces of information:
- The total project cost.
- The length of the completed road.
- The time taken to complete the construction.
A Major Pre-Poll Infrastructure Push
The timing of this announcement, just ahead of the Bengal assembly polls, underscores the state government's focus on rural development and connectivity. The Pathashree project, with its ambitious target of over 9,000 km of roads, is poised to become a central theme in the ruling party's campaign narrative.
By combining a grand, CM-led inauguration with granular district-level events and a strong transparency framework, the government aims to maximize the project's visibility and public impact. The success of this rollout will be closely watched, as it promises to reshape rural mobility and access in West Bengal.
