Cabinet Approves ₹70,125 Crore 5-Year Package for Rural Roads Under PMGSY-IV
A Big Boost to Connectivity and Rural Infrastructure as Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana - IV Gets the Cabinet Nod. Pending Issues of Punjab.
A Big Boost to Connectivity and Rural Infrastructure
"A big boost to connectivity and rural infrastructure! The Cabinet decision regarding Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana - IV will boost development and create many employment opportunities," tweeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing his enthusiasm for the significant progress the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana - IV (PMGSY-IV) will bring to rural India. This ambitious phase aims to bridge the gap in connectivity for remote and underserved regions, marking a new milestone in rural development.
Cabinet Approves Implementation of PMGSY-IV
On 11th September 2024, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the implementation of the PMGSY-IV for the financial years 2024-25 to 2028-29. With a total outlay of ₹70,125 crore, the scheme will provide all-weather road connectivity to 25,000 unconnected habitations and involve the construction or upgrading of necessary bridges.
The scheme will cover over 62,500 kilometres of road, connecting habitations with populations of 500+ in plains and 250+ in special category regions such as hilly states, tribal areas, and regions affected by Left-Wing Extremism (LWE). This initiative is poised to unlock opportunities for socio-economic development in some of India's most isolated communities.
Benefits of PMGSY-IV: A Transformative Impact
The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-IV is more than just a rural road-building scheme. The all-weather roads will function as key drivers of socio-economic change in remote rural areas, linking villages to essential facilities such as schools, health centres, and markets.
The roads constructed under this scheme will also incorporate international best practices in road construction, such as the use of Cold Mix Technology, Waste Plastic, and other sustainable materials like Fly Ash and Steel Slag. These innovations aim to improve both the longevity and sustainability of rural road networks.
The Broader Context: PMGSY and Its Evolution
The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, launched in December 2000, has been one of the most successful rural development programmes in India. Its primary objective has always been to provide all-weather road connectivity to unconnected habitations, improving access to markets, educational institutions, and healthcare facilities. PMGSY-IV represents a continuation of this vision, with a renewed focus on modern technologies and sustainable practices.
Earlier phases of PMGSY have already delivered remarkable results, with over 766,000 kilometres of roads constructed and thousands of villages benefiting from improved connectivity. The scheme’s success is reflected in its socio-economic impact, which has been particularly transformative for rural communities.
Catalysing Economic and Social Development
Rural road connectivity has far-reaching benefits, beyond the obvious improvement in transportation. Some of the most significant impacts include:
Economic Opportunities: Improved road connectivity enables easier access to markets, promoting local businesses and non-farm employment. Farmers, in particular, benefit from better access to more distant markets, allowing them to sell their produce at higher prices and on better terms.
Education: Better roads lead to improved access to schools, which has a direct impact on educational outcomes. In connected villages, school enrolment rates have increased, and children, especially girls, are able to complete more years of education.
Healthcare: Enhanced road access has also revolutionised healthcare delivery in rural areas. There is a significant increase in the number of institutional deliveries and childhood vaccinations, leading to better maternal and child health outcomes.
Employment: The rural connectivity programme has spurred a shift from agricultural to non-farm employment, particularly in industries such as trade and transportation, which thrive on improved road networks.
Women’s Empowerment: With better access to markets, healthcare, and education, rural women are becoming more active participants in their communities, enhancing their role in decision-making and economic activities.
Early Rural Road Development in Punjab
Punjab was a pioneer in rural road connectivity long before national schemes like PMGSY were introduced. As early as the late 1960s, under the leadership of Chief Minister Lachhman Singh Gill, the state began recognising the importance of linking rural areas to boost agricultural productivity. Although detailed records of these early initiatives are limited, the government's efforts laid the foundation for improved access to markets and services in villages. By the mid-1980s, Punjab significantly intensified its focus on rural infrastructure, with the Punjab Mandi Board taking a leading role in developing rural roads. The establishment of the Rural Development Fund (RDF) further ensured a consistent source of funding for these projects, underscoring the state's commitment to rural connectivity.
The Role of Punjab Mandi Board and Current Challenges
The Punjab Mandi Board has been instrumental in maintaining an extensive rural road network, managing around 66,000 km of roads that connect rural areas to agricultural markets. With a mandate to repair 12,000 km of roads annually, the board operates on a five-year maintenance cycle, ensuring the sustainability of rural infrastructure. However, despite Punjab's pioneering efforts, the state currently faces significant challenges. About 36,000 km of rural roads require urgent repairs, and delays in the release of RDF funds, connected with foodgrains procurement, from the Central Government—amounting to ₹6,767 crore—have created financial bottlenecks. While Punjab's early initiatives and the later support from PMGSY have transformed its rural road network, the challenge of securing consistent funding remains a major hurdle for the state.
Summing Up: A Silent Revolution in Rural Connectivity
While India's infrastructure development often garners attention through the construction of high-speed highways and expressways, the quiet progress made in rural connectivity is equally transformative. The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-IV, with its ambitious goals and strategic investments, represents a silent revolution aimed at uplifting vulnerable and marginalised communities across India.
The roads being built under this scheme will not only enhance connectivity but also drive rural transformation by boosting economic opportunities, improving education, and increasing access to healthcare. In states like Punjab, where rural connectivity has long been a priority, the timely release of legitimate funds from the central government is crucial for maintaining and upgrading the extensive rural road network. With delayed payments amounting to ₹6,767 crore, Punjab's rightful share of RDF funds must be expedited to sustain its pioneering efforts1. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi rightly stated, this is a "big boost to connectivity and rural infrastructure," creating employment opportunities and fostering comprehensive rural development across the nation.
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……with absence of quality control agency almost non-existential in rural areas, the big initiative of developing road infrastructure in rural area may not yield desired objective. Further not to forget, we inherit systems in all sectors wherein designating responsibility within the system, is either absent or the last word….