Lok Sabha Question No. 306 (STARRED), answered on 2024-12-17
Subject: Rural Connectivity in North Eastern Region
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Shri Raju Bista

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

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 306

## ANSWERED ON 17/12/2024

## RURAL CONNECTIVITY IN NORTH EASTERN REGION

## *306. SHRI RAJU BISTA:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENTbe pleased to state:

- (a) the  manner  in  which  the  Pradhan  Mantri  Gram  SadakYojana (PMGSY-III)  is  expected  to  enhance  rural  connectivity  in  the North-Eastern  region,  particularly  in  West  Bengal,  and  the progress achieved so far under the said scheme;
- (b) the  details  of  number  of  roads  in  kilometers  sanctioned  for Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Uttar Dinajpur;
- (c) the  anticipated  impact  of  these  infrastructural  developments on  improving  access  to  essential  services  like  healthcare, education and markets in remote rural areas; and
- (d) the  specific  ways  in  which  improved  connectivity  through PMGSY-III  projects  is  expectedto  foster  economic  growth, trade,  and  employment  opportunities  in  the  North-Eastern region,  supporting  the  Government's  vision  of  a  prosperous Northeast and a developed India (Viksit Bharat)?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI SHIVRAJ SINGH CHOUHAN)

- (a) to (d):       A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY OF PARTS (A) TO (D) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *306 DUE FOR   ANSWER ON  17.12.2024.

- (a):    The  Government  of  India  has  approved  Pradhan  Mantri  Gram SadakYojana-III (PMGSY-III) in July, 2019, for consolidation of 1,25,000 Km rural road network by upgradation of "Through Routes" and "Major Rural Links"  connecting  habitations,  inter-alia,  to  Gramin  Agricultural  Markets (GrAMs), Higher  Secondary Schools and Hospitals. As of 12 th   December, 2024, the details of road length sanctioned and completed under PMGSYIII, in North-Eastern States and West Bengal are given at Annexure-I.
- (b):     As of 12 th  December, 2024, the details of road length sanctioned in Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Uttar Dinajpur Districts of West Bengal under PMGSY-III are given at Annexure-II.
- (c)  &  (d): The  Government  of  India,  as  a  part  of  the  poverty  reduction strategy, launched the PMGSY in the year 2000 as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with an aim to provide rural connectivity, by way of a single allweather road, to the eligible unconnected habitations of population size 500+ in plain areas and 250+ in North-Eastern States, Himalayan States and Himalayan Union Territories and some special areas. Since inception, a total length of 8,34,657 km worth Rs 3,95,660 crore has been sanctioned under  various  verticals  of  PMGSY,  out  of  which  a  length  of 7,69,773  km which includes 1,81,194 roads and 9,212 bridges have been constructed as on date and connectivity has been provided to 99.6% of the targeted habitations.

Various  independent  evaluation  studies  on  PMGSY  by  NITI  Aayog, World Bank etc. 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 through  which  there  has  been  a  rapid  socio-economic  transformation  in rural areas. It has provided a long-term and sustained boost in the living standards of rural population.

The  improved  rural  road  network,  in  particular  under  PMGSY-III  in North-Eastern  Region,  will  enable  faster  access  to  healthcare  facilities, improve  school accessibility, and  reduce  dropout rates, while also strengthening rural economies by facilitating easier transport of goods to markets.  Furthermore,  the  enhanced  connectivity  will  foster  economic growth, trade, and employment. By providing better connectivity to remote areas  it  will  boost  trade,  generate  employment  opportunities  through construction  and  maintenance  jobs,  and  support  promotion  of  tourism, especially in scenic regions like Darjeeling and Kalimpong. These developments align with the Government's vision of creating a prosperous Northeast  and  a  developed  India,  contributing  to  the  broader  goal  of  a "Viksit Bharat."

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Annexure  referred  to  in  reply  to  part  (a)  of  LokSabha  Starred Question No.*306 to be answered on 17.12.2024

Details of road length sanctioned and completed under PMGSY-III, in North-Eastern States vizArunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripuraand West Bengal as on 12 th  December, 2024

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| S. No   | State Name        | Sanctioned   | Sanctioned     | Sanctioned    | Completed   | Completed      | Completed     |
|---------|-------------------|--------------|----------------|---------------|-------------|----------------|---------------|
| S. No   | State Name        | No of roads  | Length (in km) | No of bridges | No of roads | Length (in km) | No of bridges |
| 1       | Arunachal Pradesh | 170          | 1,366          | 66            | 8           | 125            | 3             |
| 2       | Assam             | 654          | 4,247          | 69            | 472         | 3,386          | 13            |
| 3       | Manipur           | 56           | 502            | 0             | 0           | 0              | 0             |
| 4       | Meghalaya         | 143          | 1,225          | 55            | 8           | 94             | 0             |
| 5       | Mizoram           | 17           | 488            | 0             | 0           | 0              | 0             |
| 6       | Nagaland          | 45           | 563            | 0             | 0           | 0              | 0             |
| 7       | Sikkim            | 45           | 286            | 20            | 0           | 15             | 0             |
| 8       | Tripura           | 100          | 781            | 6             | 2           | 52             | 0             |
| 9 West  | Bengal            | 562          | 4,237          | 6             | 54          | 620            | 0             |
| Total   | Total             | 1,792        | 13,695         | 222           | 544         | 4,292          | 16            |

Annexure  referred  to  in  reply  to  part  (b)  of  LokSabha  Starred Question No.*306 to be answered on 17.12.2024

Details of road length sanctioned in Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Uttar Dinajpur  Districts  of  West  Bengal  under  PMGSY-III  as  on  12 th December, 2024

| S. No   | Name of District   | Sanctioned   | Sanctioned     |
|---------|--------------------|--------------|----------------|
|         |                    | No of roads  | Length (in km) |
| 1       | Darjeeling         | 14           | 109            |
| 2       | Kalimpong          | 9            | 66             |
| 3       | Uttar Dinajpur     | 22           | 159            |
| Total   | Total              | 45           | 334            |

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