Cabinet approves continuation of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-I and II up to September 2022

Ravi S Singh

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 17

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, approved  proposals  for continuation of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)-I and II up to September 2022 to complete road and bridge works.

The CCEA also approved continuation of Road Connectivity Project for Left Wing Extremism Affected Areas (RCPLWEA) up to March, 2023.

The proposal for extension of the Yojana was put before the Cabinet by the Union Rural Development Ministry.

A total of Rs 1,12,419 crore, including state share, is likely to be incurred from 2021-22 to 2024-25 for completion of all the ongoing interventions of PMGSY, including Phase III which is under way as per schedule.

The Union Government started PMGSY-I to provide connectivity to unconnected habitations of population size 500+ in plain areas and 250+ in North-East and Himalayan states.

In selected Left-wing extremism blocks, habitations of 100+ population were also to be provided connectivity. Only 2,432 habitations are balance out of total 1,84,444 habitations. A total of 20,950 km road length and 1,974 bridges are balance for completion out of the total sanctioned  6,45,627 km road length and 7,523 bridges.

Under PMGSY-II, upgradation of 50,000 Km rural road network was envisaged. A total 49,885 km road length and 765 LSBs have been sanctioned, of which only 4,240 km road length and 254 bridges are to be completed yet.

Majority of pending works under PMGSY-I and II are in the North-East and hill States due to factors such as COVID lockdown, extended rains, winters, forest issues.

The states have been requesting the Central Government for extension of time to complete these crucial works related to the rural economy.

Besides, the government launched PMGSY-III in 2019 for consolidation of 1,25,000 Km road length by March, 2025. Around 72,000 Km road length has so far been sanctioned under PMGSY-III, out of which, 17,750 km has been completed.

The RCPLWEA was started in 2016 to improve connectivity in 44 LWE affected districts in 9 states.

As many as 5,714 km road length 358 bridge works are balance for completion and another 1,887 Km road length and 40 bridges are being sanctioned. The scheme is being extended up to March, 2023 for completion of these projects, which are very critical from communication and security point of view.