The Centre on Thursday cleared a Rs 8500-crore project under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana to connect 6000 habitations in the 78 naxalite-affected districts of nine states. The Union Cabinet cleared the project, under which the money will be utilised for new connectivity and upgradation of these habitations, which will be an addition to the core network, approved in 2002 by the Union Ministry of Rural Development. It is for the first time that the norms of PMGSY had been relaxed to provide road connectivity to these habitations, in view of the naxalite problem there. Union Minister of Rural Development Jairam Ramesh said the project will be completed in three to four years, as the pace of work in 20 Left-wing-extremist-affected districts was a serious issue, as even local contractors were unwilling to come forward to take up construction work.