Lok Sabha Question No. 1765 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-28
Subject: Rural Roads Network
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Shrirang Appa Barne, PRITAM GOPINATH MUNDE, ANANDRAO  ADSUL, SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE, DHARMENDRA YADAV

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1765

TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.12.2017

## RURAL ROADS NETWORK

## 1765.   SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE:

DR. PRITAM GOPINATH MUNDE:

SHRI ANANDRAO ADSUL:

DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE:

SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether adequate rural road network is absolutely necessary for the improvement of the economic and social conditions of the rural people and if so, the response of the Union Government thereto;
- (b) whether  rural  roads  in  the  country  are  in  dilapidated  condition  and  repair works are neglected and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the  Union Government feels that  rural roads  are the  lifeline  for  the villages  and  the  States  should  frame  policy  for  maintenance  of  such  roads constructed  under  Pradhan  Mantri  Gram  Sadak Yojana  (PMGSY)  and  if  so, the details thereof;
- (d) the details of the States which have framed policy in this regard;
- (e) whether  the  Union  Government  proposes  to  introduce  new  technologies  for constructing all-weather rural roads in the country; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof and the progress made so far in this regard?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI RAM KRIPAL YADAV)

(a):   Rural  road  connectivity  is  a  key  component  of  rural  development,  since  it  promotes access to economic and social services thereby generating increased agricultural income and productive  employment  opportunities  in  rural  India.  As  a  part  of  its  poverty  reduction strategy and to bring about rapid sustainable development and socioeconomic transformation in  rural  India,  Pradhan  Mantri  Gram  Sadak  Yojana  (PMGSY)  was  launched  by  the Government of India on 25 th December 2000 to provide all-weather road connectivity to all eligible  unconnected  habitations.  As  per  the  Core  Network,  out  of  1,78,184  eligible habitations,  the  States  have  reported  that         1,30,974  habitations  have  been  connected  by constructing/upgrading 5,23,172.522 Km road length till  30 th November, 2017.

PMGSY-II was launched in the year 2013 to consolidate the existing rural road network to improve its overall efficiency as a provider of transportation services for people, goods and services. Under PMGSY-II, out of the target of 50,000 Km road length, 29,222.98 Km have been sanctioned by the Ministry and 12,456 Km have been upgraded by the States till 30 th November, 2017.

(b)  to (d): PMGSY  Roads  are  constructed  for  the  designed  life  of  10  years  and maintenance of such roads is the responsibility of the State Government concerned. As per PMGSY guidelines, the responsibility  for  construction  as  well  as  post  construction  5  year maintenance of constructed/upgraded roads lies with same contractor. Maintenance funds to service the contract are budgeted by the State Government and placed at the disposal of State Rural Roads Development Agencies (SRRDAs) in a separate maintenance fund account. The Ministry  has  time  and  again  advised  the  States  to  notify  State  Specific  Rural  Road Maintenance  Policy  to  ensure  that  the  assets  created  under  PMGSY  are  preserved  and  to ensure adequate budget for maintenance of such roads.  So far, 22 States viz Andhra Pradesh, Assam,  Bihar,  Chhattisgarh,  Haryana,  Himachal  Pradesh,  Jharkhand,  Karnataka,  Kerala, Madhya  Pradesh,  Manipur,  Mizoram,  Meghalaya,  Nagaland,  Odisha,  Punjab,  Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and West Bengal have notified such policy.

(e)&(f): With a view to reduce the 'carbon footprint' of rural roads, reduce environmental pollution, increase the working season and bring cost effectiveness, PMGSY is aggressively encouraging the use of 'Green Technologies' and non-conventional materials like waste plastic, cold mix, geo-textiles, fly-ash, iron and copper slag etc. in rural roads.

During  the  year  2016-17,  4100  Km  roads  have  been  constructed  using  such  technologies. During  the  current  year,  against  a  target  of  10,082  Km,  the  States  have  reported  to  have constructed 3,478.34 Km using such technologies till 30 th November, 2017.

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