Lok Sabha Question No. 1232 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-30
Subject: Connection of Hamlets through Pucca Roads
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Shri Ummeda Ram Beniwal

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

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1232 ANSWERED ON 30/07/2024

## CONNECTION OF HAMLETS THROUGH PUCCA ROADS

## 1232 Shri Ummeda Ram Beniwal:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENTbe pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to seek proposals regarding construction for new roadsunder Pradhan Mantri Gram SadakYojana (PMGSY) in the Barmer-Jaisalmer ParliamentaryConstituency of Rajasthan;
- (b) the  time  by  which  such  roads  are  likely  to  be  constructed along with the reasons for notconstructing the new roads;
- whether the maintenance of roads constructed under PMGSY in  Barmer-JaisalmerParliamentary  Constituency  is  not  being carried out since long resulting in damage to the roadsand if
- (c) so, the reasons therefor;
- (d) the  details  of  proposal  of  the  Government  to  prioritize  the repair of the roads constructedunder the said yojana;
- (e) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  connect  the  hamlets with  small  population  situated  invillages  also  through  Pucca roads; and
- (f) if  so,  the  time  by  which  the  relevant  rules  are  likely  to  be amended along with the detailsthereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  &  (b):  The  State  of  Rajasthan  has  already  completed  all  the sanctioned projects under Pradhan PradhanMantri Gram SadakYojana (PMGSY)-I  &  II.  The  State  has  been  allocated  target length of 8,662.5 Km under PMGSY-III, against which 8,600 Km has been sanctioned. The timeline for completion of road projects under PMGSY-III is 31st March, 2025.

Parliamentary constituencywise data is not maintained within the Ministry. There are two districts within Barmer-Jaisalmer Parliamentary Constituency of Rajasthan viz. Barmer and Jaisalmer. The road works sanctioned, completed and balance in Barmer and Jaisalmer Districts  under  all  verticals  of  PMGSY  as  on  25.07.2024 are as under:

| District Name   | Sanctioned   | Sanctioned          | Sanctioned    | Completed   | Completed           | Completed     | Balance*    | Balance*            | Balance*      |
|-----------------|--------------|---------------------|---------------|-------------|---------------------|---------------|-------------|---------------------|---------------|
| District Name   | No of Roads  | Road Length (in Km) | No of Bridges | No of Roads | Road Length (in Km) | No of Bridges | No of Roads | Road Length (in Km) | No of Bridges |
| Barmer          | 776          | 3,845               | 3             | 776         | 3,707               | 3             | 0           | 0                   | 0             |
| Jaisalmer       | 301          | 2,245               | 0             | 300         | 2,197               | 0             | 1           | 3                   | 0             |
| Total           | 1,077        | 6,090               | 3             | 1,076       | 5,904               | 3             | 1           | 3                   | 0             |

*  The  balance road length is less than the difference of sanctioned and completed length due to reduction in curve length, change in alignment, construction of part length by other agencies, etc.
- (c) & (d): PMGSY  is a one-time assistance programme for construction of rural roads; there is no provision under it for repair of  roads. As  per  the  guidelines  of  PMGSY,  maintenance  of  roads constructed under the programme is the responsibility of the State Governments. However,  the  Ministry  on  its  part  has  taken  the following  steps/measures to  ensure  proper  maintenance  of  roads constructed under PMGSY:
- (i)   All  road  works  sanctioned  under  the  scheme  are  covered  by initial five year maintenance contracts to be entered into along with the  construction  contract,  with  the  same  contractor,  as  per  the Standard Bidding Document.
- (ii)  Maintenance  funds  to  service  the  contract  are  required  to  be budgeted by the State Governments and placed at the disposal of the State Rural Roads  Development  Agencies  (SRRDAs)  in  a separate  maintenance  account.  On  expiry  of  this  5  year  post construction maintenance, PMGSY roads are required to be placed under Zonal maintenance contracts consisting of 5 year maintenance including renewal as per maintenance cycle, from time to time, to be funded by the State Governments.

(iii)   States have to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the  Ministry  of  Rural  Development,  Government  of  India,  before launching of the scheme in the concerned State. As per this MoU, the States have to interalia provide adequate funds for the maintenance of roads constructed/upgraded under PMGSY for initial five  years  routine  maintenance,  and  for  further  five  year  routine maintenance including periodic renewal as per requirement.

(iv) Release of maintenance funds is required to be certified by the State,  as  per  PMGSY  guidelines,  while  submitting  fund  release proposals to the Central Government.

(v)   Electronic  Maintenance  of  PMGSY  roads  (eMARG),  an  online platform,  has  been  implemented  in  all  the  States  to  monitor maintenance  of  PMGSY  works  for  five  years  from  the  date  of completion (i.e. under Defect Liability Period-DLP).

(e) & (f): The Government has announced that Phase IV of PMGSY will be launched to provide all-weather connectivity to 25,000 rural habitations which have become eligible in view of their population increase.  Action,  consequential  to  the  announcement,  is  being taken by the Ministry.

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