Union Cabinet Greenlights PMGSY-IV for Rural Road Connectivity

The Union Cabinet approved the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-IV for 2024-29. The initiative aims to construct 62,500 km of road, connecting 25,000 unconnected habitations, with a total outlay of Rs 70,125 crore. The scheme will also include the construction and upgrading of bridges, leveraging international construction standards.

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the proposal of the Department of Rural Development to implement the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-IV (PMGSY-IV) for the financial years 2024-25 to 2028-29.

The scheme aims to provide financial assistance for the construction of 62,500 km of roads, offering new connectivity to 25,000 unconnected habitations, according to an official statement. It will also cover the construction and upgradation of bridges on these new roads.

PMGSY-IV has been launched with a total outlay of Rs 70,125 crore, with the central share being Rs 49,087.50 crore and the state share at Rs 21,037.50 crore. The scheme targets unconnected habitations with populations over 500 in plains, 250 in Northeast and hill states, Union Territories, special category areas, and over 100 in LWE-affected districts as per Census 2011.

The initiative aims to construct all-weather roads to serve as catalysts for socio-economic development in remote rural areas, ensuring that government educational, health, market, and growth centers are connected, wherever feasible. The scheme will incorporate international benchmarks and best practices in road construction, such as cold mix technology, waste plastic, panelled cement concrete, and other sustainable materials.

Road alignment planning will be conducted via the PM Gati Shakti portal, which will also assist in the preparation of detailed project reports (DPR).

(With inputs from agencies.)