Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) has asked states to display QR codes on all PMGSY road maintenance boards for public feedback and transparency.

Features of the QR Code System

• Access to Road Data: Each QR code links to detailed information about the road including construction and maintenance details.
• Citizen Feedback Mechanism:  Citizens can scan the QR code to:
  • Upload photographs of the road condition.
  • Lodge complaints or report maintenance issues directly via the portal.
• Transparency and Monitoring:
  Integrated with the eMARG system, which tracks:
  • Five-year post-construction maintenance obligations.
  • Performance of contractors and compliance with quality standards.

About Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)

• Launched: December 25, 2000, by PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
• Ministry: Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD).
• Objective: To provide all-weather road connectivity to unconnected habitations in rural India.
• Eligibility:
  • Population >500 in plains.
  • Population >250 in hills, tribal, and difficult areas.
• Funding Pattern:
  • Initially 100% Central.
  • Since 2015-16: 60:40 (Centre:State); 90:10 for NE and Himalayan states.

Four Phases of PMGSY

• PMGSY-I (2000): Basic rural road connectivity.
• PMGSY-II (2013): Upgradation of 50,000 km of rural roads.
  • Road Connectivity Project for Left Wing Extremism AreaRCPLWEA (2016): Launched as separate vehicle to provide road connectivity in Left Wing Extremism-affected areas, which are critical from security and communication point of view
• PMGSY-III (2019): Consolidation of 1.25 lakh km of roads for better access to Gramin Agricultural Markets (GrAMs), schools, and hospitals.
• PMGSY-IV (2024): Approved to connect 25,000 unconnected habitations (2024-2029) with an outlay of ₹70,125 crore to build 62,500 km of roads

Challenges in Achieving Desired Outcomes of PMGSY

• Compromised Construction Quality: Lack of functional quality control labs and real-time inspections leads to substandard road construction.
• Inefficient Tendering Practices: “Low-tendering” results in cost-cutting, use of poor materials, and subpar execution by contractors.
• Inadequate Post-Construction Maintenance: Maintenance is only assured for 5 years despite a 10-year road design life, leading to early deterioration.

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