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Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)
Context:
Recently, the Union Cabinet approved the fourth phase of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), a major rural road development initiative.
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- This phase comes with an estimated budget of approximately ₹70,125 crore, to be implemented over the next five years.
- The program aims to construct around 62,500 kilometres of rural roads, providing new connectivity to 25,000 previously unconnected habitations and building or upgrading bridges along these roads.
- The central government’s contribution to this phase is estimated at ₹49,087.5 crore, while the states will contribute approximately ₹21,037.5 crore.
- This phase of the scheme is expected to generate 400 million person-days of employment.
- Road alignment planning will be conducted using the PM Gati Shakti portal, which will also aid in preparing Detailed Project Reports.
Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)
It is a significant initiative launched by the Government of India on December 25, 2000, aimed at providing all-weather road connectivity to unconnected villages, thereby enhancing rural infrastructure and promoting socio-economic development.
Key Features of PMGSY
- Objective: The primary goal of PMGSY is to ensure all-weather road connectivity to eligible unconnected habitations, facilitating better access to essential services and economic opportunities.
- Eligibility: The scheme targets rural areas with a population of 500 or more in plain areas, and 250 or more in hill states, desert areas, and other backward regions.
- Funding Structure: Initially a 100% centrally sponsored scheme, the funding pattern was modified to a 60:40 ratio between the central and state governments for most states. For the northeastern and Himalayan states, the ratio is 90:10.
Phases of Implementation:
- PMGSY-I: Launched in 2000, focusing on constructing new roads.
- PMGSY-II: Approved in May 2013, aimed at upgrading existing rural roads.
- Road Connectivity Project for Left Wing Extremism Areas (RCPLWEA) (2016): Launched for construction/upgradation of strategically important roads to improve the road connectivity in 44 worst affected LWE districts and some adjoining districts.
- PMGSY-III: Launched in December 2019, this phase focuses on consolidating the existing rural road network by upgrading major rural links and connecting them to Gramin Agricultural Markets (GrAMs), higher secondary schools, and hospitals.
- Road Construction: Since its inception, the PMGSY scheme has led to the construction of around 800,000 kilometres of rural roads and connected 180,000 habitations through its various phases.