Lok Sabha Question No. 116 (STARRED), answered on 2024-07-30
Subject: Independent Funds under PMGSY
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Smt. Dhanorkar Pratibha Suresh

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

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 116 ANSWERED ON 30/07/2024

## INDEPENDENT FUNDS UNDER PMGSY

- *116.  Smt. DhanorkarPratibha Suresh:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENTbe pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has issued any directions to all the State Governments to makeprovisions of independent funds for the maintenance and repair of roads constructed under thePradhan Mantri Gram SadakYojana (PMGSY);
- (b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise; and
- (c) whether the Government has taken any action against various States includingMaharashtra for not making provisions of said funds or not contributing to the maintenance andrepair work of roads, if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI SHIVRAJ SINGH CHOUHAN)

- (a) to (c) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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O.I.H.

Statement referred to in reply to Parts (a) to (c) of LokSabha Starred

Question No. 116 due for answer on 30.07.2024. (a) to (c): Yes. As per Pradhan Mantri Gram SadakYojana (PMGSY) guidelines, maintenance of roads constructed under the programme is  the  responsibility  of  the  State  Governments. PMGSY  roads  are constructed by the State Governments with a design life of at least 10 years. The cost of maintenance of the roads during the design life is inbuilt in the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs). All  PMGSY  road  works  are  covered  by  initial  five  year  (Defect Liability  Period  (DLP))  maintenance  contracts  to  be  entered  into along with the construction contract, with the same contractor, as per the Standard Bidding Document of PMGSY. 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 DLP period, PMGSY roads are required to be placed  under  Zonal  maintenance  contracts  consisting  of  5  year maintenance including renewal as per cycle, from time to time. For IT based monitoring of maintenance of PMGSY roads in the DLP and  post  DLP  phase,  Electronic  Maintenance  of  Rural  Roads (eMARG) has been introduced. Payment to the contractor is to be made through eMARG which is based on the existing condition of road, its cross drainage works and traffic assets. States, including Maharashtra, have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of  India  for  providing  adequate  funds  for  the  DLP  and  post  DLP period.  States  are  also  required  to  certify  appropriate release  of maintenance  funds,  as  per  the  programme  guidelines,  along  with their fund requisition proposals. The utilization of maintenance funds is reviewed in meetings held with the States at various levels. Shortcomings are brought to the notice of the States and action sought for remedying the shortfalls and ensuring that the roads are well maintained.

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