Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana

Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana

The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) is a flagship initiative aimed at providing all-weather road connectivity to unconnected habitations across rural India. Recently, the Union Minister of Rural Development provided an update on the progress and challenges faced by the PMGSY in the Rajya Sabha.

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Key Information on PMGSY Launched:

• 25th December 2000, by the Government of India.

Objective:

• To provide all-weather road connectivity to unconnected rural habitations, enhancing socio-economic conditions and ensuring better access to social services and markets.

Eligibility:

• Unconnected habitations with a population of:
  • 500+ in plain areas.
  • 250+ in North-Eastern States, Himalayan States, Desert Areas, and Tribal Areas (based on the 2001 census).
• Core Network: The minimum road network required to provide essential access to services like healthcare, education, and market connectivity.

Funding Pattern:

• The Union Government covers a larger share of costs for projects in Himalayan and North-Eastern states:
  • 90% of the cost for these areas.
  • 60% of the cost for other states.

Construction Guidelines:

• Roads built under PMGSY follow the standards set by the Indian Roads Congress (IRC), the apex body for highway engineering in India, established in 1934.

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Phases of PMGSY
Phase I (2000-2012):

• Targeted 1,35,436 habitations and 3.68 lakh km of rural roads for upgrading.
• Ensured farm-to-market connectivity, providing rural communities access to vital social and economic services.

Phase II (2013-2019):

• Focused on upgrading 50,000 km of existing rural roads to improve efficiency.
• The cost was shared between the Centre and the States/UTs.
• Continued road construction from Phase I while upgrading existing roads.

Phase III (2019-2025):

• Approved by the Cabinet in July 2019, this phase prioritizes:
  • Gramin Agricultural Markets (GrAMs) for efficient farm produce transactions.
  • Connectivity to higher secondary schools and hospitals.
• Aims to consolidate 1,25,000 km of roads by 2024-25.

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Challenges in Implementation
Despite its progress, PMGSY faces several challenges:

1. Lack of Dedicated Funds:
   • Insufficient financial resources to meet the growing demands of rural road construction and maintenance.
2. Limited Involvement of Panchayati Raj Institutions:
   • The lack of active participation by local governance bodies limits the scheme's effectiveness.
3. Inadequate Execution and Contracting Capacity:
   • The limited capacity of contractors and execution bodies hampers the timely completion of projects.
4. Difficult Terrain and Short Working Season:
   • Hill states face logistical challenges, including difficult terrain and a limited working season, hindering construction activities.
5. Scarcity of Construction Materials:
   • Availability of essential materials like gravel, cement, and bitumen is often a bottleneck in execution.
6. Security Concerns:
   • Ongoing issues in areas affected by Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) create risks and delays in construction projects.

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Road Ahead
Rural road connectivity remains a key component of rural development, offering multiple benefits:

• Economic Growth: Improved access to markets can increase agricultural incomes and boost economic opportunities.
• Social Access: Better roads enable easier access to healthcare, education, and other social services, significantly improving quality of life in rural areas.

Suggestions for Improvement:

• The government can explore collaboration with international financial institutions to finance rural infrastructure projects and address existing challenges.
• Enhancing Panchayati Raj Institutions’ participation in project execution could help overcome local barriers and ensure better accountability.

Key Takeaways
By addressing these challenges and continuing to expand rural infrastructure, PMGSY can significantly contribute to India's economic and social development goals, particularly in remote and underserved areas.

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