Lok Sabha Question No. 35 (STARRED), answered on 2022-07-19
Subject: Faulty Gradients under PMGSY
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Dean Kuriakose

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 35

ANSWERED ON 19/07/2022

## FAULTY GRADIENTS UNDER PMGSY

## *35. ADV. DEAN KURIAKOSE:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has any plans to adapt road construction practices under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) according to the local requirements;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has received any proposals/petitions to resolve the issue of faulty gradients to the roads built under PMGSY in Idukki district and if so, the details of action taken in this regard; and
- (d) whether the Government has received any proposals/petitions to change the restrictions regarding 40% ceiling for earthworks under PMGSY and if so, the details of action taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI GIRIRAJ SINGH)

- (a) to (d) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## Statement referred to in reply of part (a) to (d) of Lok Sabha Starred Question No 35 for 19.07.2022

- (a) & (b)   Rural roads under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) are constructed as  per  the  technical  specifications  and  geometric  design  standards  given  in  the  Ministry  of Rural Development Specifications for Rural Roads, Rural Roads Manual of the Indian Roads Congress (IRC) (IRC:SP:20) and also, where required, the Hill Road Manual (IRC:SP:48) and other  relevant  IRC  Codes  &  Manuals.  The  choice  of  design  and  surface  for  the  road  is determined,  inter-alia,  by  factors  like  traffic,  soil  type  and  rainfall,  following  the  technical specifications laid down in the Guidelines for the design of flexible pavements for low volume rural roads (IRC:SP:72-2015 for traffic upto T9 category/2 Million Standard Axle (MSA) and IRC:37-2018 for traffic more than 2 msa and guidelines for design of rigid pavements.
- (c) As  per  the  IRC  norms,  the  permitted  gradient  for  rural  roads  is  1  in  12.5  and  in exceptional circumstances 1 in 10. The Ministry received proposal from the State of Kerala requesting to permit the State to adopt the Gradient of 1 in 8 to 1 in 10 using mandatory traffic signs  in  short  stretches  for  roads  proposed  for  upgradation  under  PMGSY-III.  The  proposal was examined and the State has been asked on 8th September, 2021 to furnish data regarding the adoption of such steeper gradients on the existing roads of Public Works Department in the State in hill areas and their record of satisfactory traffic movement and accident data, if any. The response from the State in the matter is awaited.
- (d)     Government  in  the  year  2019  launched  PMGSY-III  for  consolidation  of  1,25,000  Km existing Through Routes and Major Rural Links connecting habitations,  inter-alia, to Gramin Agricultural  Markets  (GrAMs),  Higher  Secondary  Schools  and  Hospitals.   The  programme focuses on upgradation of existing Through Routes and Major Rural Links based on priority giving importance to critical facilities like the rural markets and education & health facilities.

The  Kerala  State  Government  had  submitted  a  proposal  of  127  roads  of  615.24  km  under PMGSY-III (Batch I of 2021-22) for sanction. Out of these 120 road works of 567.79 Km were sanctioned on 4th October, 2022 and for balance 7 roads, which were having substantial length with  earthen  surface,  the  State  was  asked  to  submit  detailed  justification,  as  PMGSY-III envisages  upgradation  of existing roads.  Based  on  the  justification  submitted  by  the  State Government, 3 road works, out of the balance 7 road works, were subsequently sanctioned on 11 th January, 2022.

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