Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana

The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), launched on December 25, 2000  marks its 25th anniversary.

About the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)

• Launched: 2000 (Phase 1)
• Eligibility Criteria:
  • Habitats with a population of ≥500 (plains)
  • Habitats with a population of ≥250 (hills/North Eastern states/tribal areas)
  • Habitats with a population of ≥100 (LWE-affected areas)
• Funding Pattern: 
  • Initial Phase: 100% central funding
  • Since 2015–16: 
    • 60:40 (Centre: State)
    • Northeastern and Himalayan States: 90:10 (Centre: State)
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD)
• Implementing Agency: National Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (NRIDA), an autonomous body under the MoRD, oversees the implementation.

Key Objectives of PMGSY

• All-Weather Rural Connectivity: PMGSY was launched with the goal of providing all-weather road connectivity to unconnected rural habitations, enhancing accessibility and linking rural areas with urban markets, education, and healthcare facilities.
• Boost to Rural Infrastructure: By providing rural roads, the scheme aimed to enhance rural economic development through better market access, thereby improving agricultural productivity and employment opportunities.

Phased Progress

• Phase I (2000): Establishing Rural Connectivity
  • The first phase of PMGSY, launched in 2000, aimed to provide all-weather roads to previously unconnected rural habitations. 
  • By linking rural areas to markets, schools, and hospitals, the programme laid the groundwork for universal rural access. 
  • A total of 1,63,339 rural habitations were sanctioned for road connectivity under this phase.
• Phase II (2013): Strengthening and Upgrading Existing Roads
  • Phase II, launched in 2013, focused on upgrading and strengthening existing rural road networks, especially those connecting growth centers, markets, and service hubs to improve transportation efficiency and accelerate rural economic growth.
  • Road Connectivity for LWE Areas: Introduced in 2016, the RCPLWEA project aimed at enhancing road connectivity in 44 Left-Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected districts to boost security operations and foster socio-economic development in these vulnerable regions.
• Phase III (2019): Upgrading Major Rural Links
  • Launched in 2019, PMGSY Phase III targets upgrading 1,25,000 km of rural roads connecting vital socio-economic institutions such as schools, healthcare facilities, and agricultural markets.
• Phase IV (2024): Expanding Connectivity: 
  • Launched for the period from 2024 to 2029, the 4th Phase proposes the construction of 62,500 km of roads, focusing on unconnected rural habitations with a financial outlay of Rs. 70,125 crore.

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Application of Advanced Technologies in Rural Road Development

• Online Management, Monitoring, and Accounting System (OMMAS):
  • The OMMAS platform enables real-time monitoring of all PMGSY works, ensuring that projects stay on track both physically and financially
  • It integrates the Project Management Information System (PMIS) for effective construction management and supports quality assurance with input from National and State Quality Monitors (SQMs).
• e-MARG (Electronic Maintenance of Rural Roads):
  • The e-MARG platform is used to track maintenance of PMGSY roads for five years after completion, ensuring high standards in road upkeep and linking contractor payments to performance outcomes.
• GPS Integration for Transparency:
  • In May 2022, GPS-enabled Vehicle Tracking Systems (VTS) were mandated for all equipment, ensuring transparency in vehicle deployment and adherence to construction processes.
• Environmentally Sustainable Materials:
  • PMGSY has actively promoted the use of environmentally sustainable materials such as fly ash, slag, waste plastic, geosynthetics, and bio-bitumen, helping reduce the environmental footprint of rural road construction.
• Innovation in Construction Technologies:
  • Innovative methods, such as cold mix techniques, waste plastic utilization, and Full Depth Reclamation, are employed in over 1.24 lakh km of rural roads.
  • These methods ensure durable roads while minimizing environmental impact.

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