Lok Sabha Question No. 3005 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-22
Subject: Rural Connectivity GIS Data for PMGSY
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Pritam Gopinath Munde, Chandra Sekhar Sahu, Girish Bhalchandra Bapat, Rahul Ramesh Shewale

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3005

ANSWERED ON 22/03/2022

## RURAL CONNECTIVITY GIS DATA FOR PMGSY

## 3005.   DR. PRITAM GOPINATHRAO MUNDE: SHRI CHANDRA SEKHAR SAHU: SHRI GIRISH BHALCHANDRA BAPAT: SHRI RAHUL RAMESH SHEWALE:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Union Government has released rural connectivity Geographic Information System (GIS) data developed for the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) in Public Domain, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the manner in which the rural infrastructure GIS data will help in bridging the gap between urban and rural India and transform India into Atmanirbhar Bharat;
- (c) whether PMGSY has played an important role in the development of rural India and if so, the details thereof including Odisha;
- (d) if so, whether any study has been conducted in this regard and if so, the outcome thereof;
- (e) whether roads sanctioned under PMGSY-III are being developed under new/green technology in the country; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof and the extent to which new/green technology is better and viable than the conventional road in the rural India?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SADHVI NIRANJAN JYOTI)

(a)&(b) Yes, Sir. The Ministry of Rural Development has released Geographic Information System (GIS) data developed for the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) scheme in  Public  Domain  on  22 nd February  2022  as  a  historic  and  most  important  contribution  to National Geospatial Mission. The GIS dataset created under PMGSY-I&II are available for view and are open to the public at http://pmgsy-grris.nic.in. All the states have created data based  on  PMGSY National  GIS  guidelines.  Under  PMGSY-III,  more  than  7.70  lakh  rural facilities  such  as medical,  educational  and  markets  have  been  geo-tagged.  Details  of  rural roads are available in public domain at https://geosadak-pmgsy.nic.in/opendata.

The GIS data created under PMGSY National GIS guideline is not just of rural areas, but a holistic national geospatial dataset including urban areas, National Highways, State Highways and Railway tracks etc. GeoSadak has been developed utilizing fully indigenous GIS data layers and satellite data services.

This data specially captured the rural roads, 10 lakh habitations and other facilities in rural and  remote  areas  which  existing  public  and  private  mapping  datasets  did  not  cover meaningfully. This unique dataset is a public good  of national importance  and can revolutionize travel & commerce, increase innovation and research, and can bridge the gap between urban and rural India and will help in boosting the rural economy based on recent data sharing policy of the Government of India. This has potential to create new services for businesses and citizens and give a boost to the rural economy.

(c)&(d)   Various  impact  assessment  studies  carried  out  by  Independent  Agencies  have concluded that PMGSY has helped in better access of marketplace for the rural masses and generated employments in various forms. It has also helped in improving socio- economic conditions  of  people  living  around  the  area.  Thus,  it  has  helped  in  removing  poverty  and unemployment.  The  scheme  has  impacted  agriculture,  health,  education,  urbanization  and employment generation in a big way. The PMGSY has affected rural masses of all the states including Odisha in a very positive way by emerging as a facilitator and precursor to various developmental activities.

An  evaluation  of  Centrally  Sponsored  Schemes  in  Rural  Development  Sector,  including Pradhan  Mantri  Gram  Sadak  Yojana  was  carried  out  by  the  Development  Monitoring  and Evaluation Office (DMEO) of NITI Aayog in 2020. The following are the findings of this study:

- i. The  Pradhan  Mantri  Gram  Sadak  Yojana  (PMGSY)  is  relevant  for  the  Country considering the massive unavailability of all-weather roads in rural areas.
- ii. The scheme is well aligned with India's international goals and is seen to contribute to SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) 2 & 9 as it addresses the issues of poverty, hunger and infrastructure for growth.
- iii. PMGSY is also aligned to Department of Rural Development's vision and mission of providing infrastructure in rural areas.
- iv. PMGSY  roads  are  observed  to  create  positive  impacts  at  both  at  level  of  the household and the community. The roads have been observed to increase access to market  and  livelihood  opportunities,  health  and  education  facilities.It  also  provides agency to the women.
- v. According  to  the  household  survey  results  -  at  lower  income  levels,  having  easy access to the main town and market was seen to be the biggest advantage of having PMGSY roads while at higher income levels, easy access to education facilities was seen as most advantageous.
- vi. PMGSY roads intend to bring equity to all stakeholders of the society.  PMGSY is noted  to  build  the  foundations  for  long-lasting  poverty  reduction  in  rural  India. Improved rural  connectivity  provides  a  long-term  and  sustained  boost  in  the  living standards  of  rural  populations  as  it  allows  households  to  accumulate  wealth  and human capital.

(e)&(f) Yes, under PMGSY-III, the States have been asked to propose at least 15% of the length  of  annual  proposals  under  new  and  green  technologies.  In  order  to  promote  costeffective and fast construction technologies and to achieve optimal use of non- conventional materials and cost- effective environment friendly 'Green Technologies' in the construction of  PMGSY-III  roads,  the  prominent  new  technologies  like  use  of  waste  plastic,  cold  mix technology,  cell  filled  concrete,  stabilization  using  cement  and  lime,  nano  technology,  full depth reclamation (FDR) are in use. Using of new & green technologies have resulted not only in reduction of carbon footprint but also in savings of fuel and natural resources.

A total of 1,05,838 km road length has been sanctioned for construction using new and green technologies,  out  of  which,  67,091  km  road  length  has  been  built.  Under  PMGSY-III, proportion of roads being sanctioned and constructed using new and green technology has seen a big increase. As on 16.03.2022, out of the total 77,129 km sanctioned under PMGSYIII, 36,514 km length has been sanctioned under new and green technologies, out of which, 8,954 km road length has been constructed.