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.