Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana

What is PMGSY?

The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) is a road development scheme started by the Government of India in December 2000. The goal? To connect remote villages to cities and towns with all-weather roads.

In many parts of rural India, people still struggle due to poor or no roads. PMGSY is changing that by building quality roads that link people to schools, hospitals, markets, and job opportunities.

PM Gram Sadak Yojana

Objectives of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana

  1. Connect villages with 500+ people in flat areas and 250+ people in hilly or tribal areas.
  2. Make it easier for rural people to access healthcare, education, and markets.
  3. Support economic growth and reduce poverty in the countryside.
  4. Improve livelihoods by boosting transport and trade.

Features of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana

  1. Roads are built using standard guidelines from Indian Road Congress.
  2. A 3-tier quality check system ensures durability.
  3. Funds are released regularly to avoid delays.
  4. Tech tools like OMMAS and geo-tagging track progress in real-time.

Benefits of PMGSY

  1. All-weather roads for easier travel in any season.
  2. Better access to schools, clinics, markets, and emergency services.
  3. Boosts farming and trade by improving transport.
  4. Creates local jobs during road construction and maintenance.
  5. Improves the overall quality of life in rural areas.

Who Can Benefit?

  1. Areas must be recognized habitations, not just small hamlets.
  2. Villages need to meet the population criteria based on the 2001 Census.
  3. Final selection is done by the District Panchayat with local bodies.

Phases of PMGSY

Phase I – (Started in 2000)

  1. Focus: Connecting villages with no roads.
  2. Target: Link over 1.35 lakh habitations and upgrade 3.68 lakh km of roads.

Phase II – (Approved in 2013)

  1. Focus: Upgrading roads built in Phase I.
  2. Cost sharing: 75% by Centre, 25% by State (90:10 for special-category states).

Phase III – (Started in 2019, ongoing till 2025)

  1. Focus: Strengthening major rural roads and connecting to markets, schools, hospitals.
  2. Target: Improve 1.25 lakh km of rural roads.

Funding Pattern

Region

Centre's Share

State's Share

Himalayan/NE States

90%

10%

Other States

60%

40%

Challenges Faced

  1. Limited funds and stretched government budget.
  2. Harsh weather and difficult terrain slow down work.
  3. Short construction seasons in hilly areas.
  4. Labour shortages and rising costs.
  5. Material waste due to poor planning.

Progress So Far

  1. Over 6.9 lakh km of roads built.
  2. More than 1.55 lakh villages connected.
  3. Almost 99% of target habitations are now accessible by all-weather roads.

Why PMGSY is Important

  1. It helps rural people travel easily and safely.
  2. Increases farm income by making it easier to reach markets.
  3. Encourages teachers, doctors, and government workers to serve rural areas.
  4. Bridges the urban-rural gap by improving infrastructure and access to services.

FAQs on PMGSY

  • Can small villages apply for road connectivity?

    Yes, if they meet the population limit of 250 (hilly areas) or 500 (plain areas), they can be included.

  • Who selects the villages under PMGSY?

      The District Panchayat, along with local officials, selects eligible villages based on population and need.  

  • How can I check the progress of roads under PMGSY?

    You can track the progress on the official PMGSY website (OMMAS Portal).

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