Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana

Why is in news? Dr. Jitendra Singh lays foundation stone of central PMGSY road from Bakhta to Magloor in Jalota area of district Kathua

The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), was launched by the Govt. of India to provide connectivity to unconnected Habitations as part of a poverty reduction strategy.

It was launched in 25th December, 2000. Govt. of India is endeavoring to set high and uniform technical and management standards and facilitating policy development and planning at State level in order to ensure sustainable management of the rural roads network.

According to latest figures made available by the State Governments under a survey to identify Core Network as part of the PMGSY programme, about 1.67 lakh Unconnected Habitations are eligible for coverage under the programme. This involves construction of about 3.71 lakh km. of roads for New Connectivity and 3.68 lakh km.

The Union Government bears 90% of the project cost in respect of projects sanctioned under the scheme in North-Eastern and Himalayan States, whereas for other states the Union Government bears 60% of the cost.

The Rural Roads constructed under the PMGSY will be in accordance with the provision of the Indian Roads Congress (IRC). IRC is the Apex Body of Highway Engineers in the country. The IRC was set up in 1934.

PMGSY - Phase I:

PMGSY - Phase I was launched in December, 2000 as a 100 % centrally sponsored scheme.

Under the scheme, 1,35,436 habitations were targeted for providing road connectivity and 3.68 lakh km. for upgradation of existing rural roads in order to ensure full farm to market connectivity.

PMGSY - Phase II:

The Government of India subsequently launched PMGSY-II in 2013 for upgradation of 50,000 Kms of existing rural road network to improve its overall efficiency.

While the ongoing PMGSY - I continued, under PMGSY phase II, the roads already built for village connectivity was to be upgraded to enhance rural infrastructure. The cost was shared between the centre and the states/UTs.

PMGSY - Phase III:

Phase III was approved by the Cabinet during July 2019.

It gives priorities to facilities like: Gramin Agricultural Markets (GrAMs), Higher Secondary Schools and Hospitals.

Under the PMGSY-III Scheme, it is proposed to consolidate 1,25,000 Km road length in the States. The duration of the scheme is 2019-20 to 2024-25.