Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) – Connecting Rural India

The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) is a nationwide plan in India to provide good all-weather road connectivity to unconnected villages. The Phase-I of this Centrally Sponsored Scheme was introduced in 2000 by the then-prime minister of India Late Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

The Phase-II of PMGSY was approved during May, 2013 the roads already built in  phase-I for village connectivity was to be upgraded to enhance rural infrastructure. For the 12th Five Year Plan period a target of 50,000 Km length road to be built under    PMGSY-II where 75 per cent of the cost of the up-gradation was bear by the Center and 25 per cent by the state.

Currently, the scheme is in its third phase i.e. phase–III.The Phase III was approved by the Cabinet during July 2019. It is proposed to consolidate 1,25,000 Km road length in the States. The duration of phase–III of the scheme is 2019-20 to 2024-25. In this phase the funds would be shared between the Center and State in the ratio of 60:40 for all States except for 8 North Eastern and 3 Himalayan States (Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh & Uttarakhand) for which the ratio is 90:10.

Details of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana

• The nodal ministry for scheme implementation is the Ministry of Rural Development.
• Apart from building new roads, the scheme also has provisions of up-gradation of existing roads. Although the primary focus is to provide connectivity to unconnected habitations.
• The scheme does not cover repairs to black-topped or cement roads, even if the surface condition is bad.
• The roads developed under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana are maintained by the Panchayati Raj institutions.
• Eligibility for the construction under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana: Rural areas with a population of 500 and above in plain areas; and a population of 250 and above in hill states including NE, desert states, tribal areas and other backward areas.

Objectives of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana phase-III

The objective of phase-III of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana is to consolidate the existing rural road network by the up-gradation of the existing ‘Through Routes and Major Rural Links’ that connect habitations to:

1. Gramin Agricultural Markets (GrAMs)
2. Higher Secondary Schools
3. Hospitals

Significance of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana

• Rural road connectivity is very important for two main reasons. One, it is a key component of rural development by enhancing access to social and economic services thereby it will also enhance farmers incomes and employment opportunities to rural people. Secondly, it is a key ingredient in poverty alleviation.
• The development of roads, apart from national highways, is the responsibility of the state government but due to the shortage of funds and diverted focus of planners, rural roads hardly received any attention. By implementing this scheme central government aims to fill this gap and take the fruits of development to the remote corners of the country.
• Employment opportunities, health care services, education and all other social welfare schemes provided by the government will be availed by the rural population by increasing connectivity.

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