Lok Sabha Question No. 5013 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-01
Subject: Improvement of Rural Road Connectivity
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Smt. Pratima Mondal

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5013 ANSWERED ON 01/04/2025

## IMPROVEMENT OF RURAL ROAD CONNECTIVITY

## 5013. SMT. PRATIMA MONDAL:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  progress  made  under  the  Pradhan  Mantri  Gram SadakYojana (PMGSY) to improve rural road connectivity;
- (b) the manner in which the Government plans to address gaps in coverage; and
- (c) the  details  of  specific  steps  taken  to  support  rural  artisans, self-help  groups  and  smallscale  entrepreneurs,  ensuring  a steady source of income?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI KAMLESH PASWAN)

(a) & (b): Rural Connectivity is one of the key components in rural development and contributes crucially towards alleviating poverty. A  good  quality  all-weather  road  contributes  to  the  generation  of additional  agricultural  incomes,  productive  employment,  improved access to health, education, etc. Keeping that in view, the Government  of  India  launched  Pradhan  Mantri  Gram  SadakYojana (PMGSY) (referred to as PMGSY-I) on 25th December 2000 with the primary objective of providing all-weather road connectivity to the eligible  unconnected  habitations  in  rural  India  (500  persons  and above  in  plains  &  250  persons  and  above  in  hilly  and  NE  areas, special category areas as per the 2001 census).

Since its inception up to 28th March 2025, a total of 644,875 km of road length has been sanctioned out of which 624,804 km has been completed. 99.7 % of the eligible and feasible habitations have been provided connectivity.

Later on, the following verticals were launched under PMGSY for consolidation/upgradation of existing rural roads :

- (i)  PMGSY-II was launched in May 2013 for consolidation of 50,000 km  of   the  existing  Rural  Road  Network  to  improve  its  overall efficiency as a provider of transportation services for people, goods, and services. A total of  49,795 km road of length was sanctioned out of which 49,062 km has been completedas on date.
- (ii)  Road  Connectivity  Project  for  Left  Wing  Extremism  Affected Areas  (RCPLWEA)  was  launched  in  the  year  2016  to  improve  the road connectivity in 44 worst affected Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected  districts  and  some  adjoining  districts  in 9  States,  viz. Andhra  Pradesh,  Bihar,  Chhattisgarh,  Jharkhand,  Madhya  Pradesh, Maharashtra,  Odisha,  Telangana,  and  Uttar  Pradesh.  The  scheme has  twin  objectives  of  enabling  smooth  and  seamless  anti-LWE operations  by  the  security  forces  and  also  ensuring  the  socioeconomic development of the area.  A total of  12,228 km of road length  have  been  sanctioned  under  RCPLWEA,  out  of  which  9,439 km has been completed.
- (iii)  PMGSY-III  was  launched  in  July  2019  for  consolidation  of 1,25,000  Km  Through  Routes  and  Major  Rural  Links  connecting habitations,  inter-alia,  to  Gramin  Agricultural  Markets  (GrAMs), Higher Secondary Schools and Hospitals. A total of 1,22,060 km of road length has been sanctioned as on 28.3.25 out of which  92,783 km has been completed.
- (iv)  The  Union  Cabinet  has  approved  the  launch  of  phase  -IV  of PradhanMantri Gram  SadakYojana  (PMGSY  IV) on 11.9.24 for providing new connectivity to eligible 25,000 unconnected habitations  and  construction/upgradation  of  bridges   A  total  of 62,500 Kms road for providing new connectivity to eligible 25,000 unconnected habitations are proposed to be constructed at a cost of  Rs.  70,125  crore  during  the  period  of  2024-25  to  2028-29.  The Ministry  is  working  in  close  coordintation  with  the  States  to facilitate submission of proposals for clearance.

Since  inception  of  PMGSY  till   28 th   March  2025,   under  all intervention/verticals of the programme, a total of 834,875 km road length  has  been  sanctioned  out  of   which  776,369  km  has  been completed at an expenditure of Rs. 3,95,874 crore (including State share). Through various interventions/verticals of PMGSY as well as many  other  initiatives  taken  by  various  State  Governments  to provide rural connectivity, there has been quantum improvement in the rural road network.

- (c): The  PMGSY  recognizes  the  importance  of  supporting  rural artisans, self-help groups, and small-scale entrepreneurs in achieving its objectives through the following measures:
- (i)  The  PMGSY  encourages  the  use  of  local  materials  for  road construction, such as aggregates, sand, and cement. This not only reduces transportation costs but also provides a steady source of income for local suppliers, including rural artisans and small-scale entrepreneurs.
- (ii) The PMGSY prioritizes contracting with local contractors and as per  the  Standard  Bidding  Document,   25%  of  the  works  can  be subcontracted to the locally available small and marginal contractors which also enhances their capacity.
- (iii) The PMGSY provides skill development and training programs to contractors and the personnel engaged in road constructions works. These programs help to enhance their skills and knowledge, making them  more  competitive  and  able  to  access  new  markets  and opportunities.
- (iv)  The  PMGSY catalyses the development of micro-enterprises in rural  areas,  including  those  involved  in  road  maintenance  and construction.  This  provides  a  steady  source  of  income  for  rural entrepreneurs and helps to promote local economic development.

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