Lok Sabha Question No. 427 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-22
Subject: Rural Connectivity under PMGSY-III in Hill States
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Shri Godam Nagesh, Shri Trivendra Singh Rawat, Smt. Mala Rajya Laxmi Shah, Shri Biplab Kumar Deb, Shri Suresh Kumar Kashyap, Shri Vishnu Dayal Ram, Shri Vijay Kumar Dubey

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 427 ANSWERED ON 22/07/2025

## RURAL CONNECTIVITY UNDER PMGSY-III IN HILL STATES

## 427.  SHRI VISHNU DAYAL RAM:

SMT. MALA RAJYA LAXMI SHAH:

SHRI BIPLAB KUMAR DEB:

SHRI TRIVENDRA SINGH RAWAT:

SHRI VIJAY KUMAR DUBEY:

SHRI SURESH KUMAR KASHYAP:

SHRI GODAM NAGESH:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of infrastructure projects recently sanctioned under Pradhan  Mantri  Gram  SadakYojana-III  (PMGSY-III)  to  improve rural connectivity in the States of Manipur, Mizoram, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand;
- (b) the manner in which these infrastructure projects expected to enhance  access  to  education,  healthcare  and  markets  in remote regions;
- (c) whether  these  projects  are  being  implemented  with  ecosensitive  practices  suited  for  mountainous  regions,  thereby ensuring sustainable development; and
- (d) whether the enhanced connectivity under PMGSY-III is likely to boost trade, commerce and inter-state movement in the North Eastern region, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): The  details  of  roads  and  bridges  sanctioned  under  Pradhan Mantri  Gram SadakYojana-III (PMGSY-III) in the States of Manipur, Mizoram, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are as below:

| State            |   No. of roads sanctioned | Road length sanctioned (in Km)   |   No of bridges sanctioned |
|------------------|---------------------------|----------------------------------|----------------------------|
| Manipur          |                        97 | 783.209                          |                          0 |
| Mizoram          |                        17 | 487.504                          |                          7 |
| Himachal Pradesh |                       299 | 3,123.117                        |                         43 |
| Uttarakhand      |                       212 | 2,287.948                        |                          9 |

(b): PMGSY-III aims to consolidate the existing Rural Road Network by upgradation of existing Through Routes and Major Rural Links  that  connect  habitations  to  Gramin  Agricultural  Markets (GrAMs), Higher Secondary Schools and Hospitals. The upgradation of  existing  Through  Routes  and  Major  Rural  Links  is  based  on priority of the proposed work in connecting critical facilities like the rural markets and education & health facilities.

Various  independent  evaluation  studies,  conducted  by  NITI Aayog,  Indian  Institute  of  Management,  Ahmedabad  (IIM-A),  World Bank and International Labour Organization (ILO), Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS), Pilani etc. on PMGSY have concluded that it has improved access to education and health care facilities, facilitated employment  generation in both farm and non-farm sectors,  helped  farmers  in  getting  better  farm  prices  etc.  PMGSY roads have provided better education opportunities to the children particularly girl child to continue their  education  beyond  the elementary  school  level.  Health  facilities  are  being  accessible  to people. Women have been the major beneficiary, with most of the child  birth  taking  place  in  government  hospitals  and  also  their participation in financial decisions has increased and it is reflected in  their  market  accessibility.  This  scheme  also  addresses  the various Sustainable Development Goals on poverty alleviation.

(c): PMGSY has promoted the use of local, non-conventional and green technologies in rural roads construction. Environment-friendly green  technologies  such  as  Cold  Mix  Technology,  Waste  Plastics, Full Depth Reclamation (FDR), Cell-filled Concrete, Panelled Cement Concrete  etc.  are  being  used  in  the  construction  of  roads  under PMGSY-III.  These  technologies  not  only  reduce  the  depletion  of good quality conventional materials but also minimize the damage to  environment  from  emission  of  green  house  gases  and  heavy suspended particles in the air.

The  standards  for  construction  of  roads  under  PMGSY  are based on as per site conditions. The rural roads under PMGSY-III are constructed  as  per  technical  specifications  and  geometric  design standards given in Ministry of Rural Development Specifications for Rural  Roads,  Rural  Roads  Manual  IRC  SP:  20:  2002,  IRC  SP  :  72: 2015 and also where required, the Hill Roads Manual IRC SP: 48 and other IRC Codes/ guidelines.

(d): Yes. Improved rural road network contributes to strengthening rural economies by facilitating easier transport of goods to markets. Enhanced connectivity will foster economic growth & trade, generate employment opportunities through construction and maintenance jobs and also facilitate  tourism  in  the  North  Eastern Region of the country.

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