Source: PMI
Subject: Government Scheme
Context: The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the continuation of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-III (PMGSY-III) beyond March 2025 up to March 2028.
About Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-III (PMGSY-III):
What it is?
- PMGSY-III is a major phase of the centrally sponsored rural road development program that focuses on the consolidation and upgradation of existing Through Routes and Major Rural Links.
- Unlike previous phases that focused on new connectivity, Phase III aims to strengthen the roads that link rural habitations to essential socio-economic centers.
Launched In:
- The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) was launched on December 25, 2000.
- Phase 1 (PMGSY-I) was the foundational stage of this flagship program, designed as a 100% Centrally Sponsored Scheme to eliminate rural isolation.
- PMGSY-III was originally launched in July 2019.
Ministry: Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), Government of India.
Aim:
- To consolidate 1,25,000 km of rural road routes to improve the movement of people and goods.
- To connect rural habitations to Gramin Agricultural Markets (GrAMs), Higher Secondary Schools, and Hospitals.
- To boost the rural economy by reducing transportation time and costs for agricultural and non-farm products.
Key Features of the Continuation Approval:
- Extended Timelines:
- Plain Areas: Completion of roads and bridges extended till March 2028.
- Hilly Areas: Completion of roads extended till March 2028, while the timeline for bridges is extended till March 2029 due to geographical challenges.
- Revised Financial Outlay: The budget has been increased to ₹83,977 crore from the original ₹80,250 crore to account for pending works and cost escalations.
- Pending Works Clearance: Works sanctioned before March 31, 2025, which were previously un-awarded, are now authorized for tender and award.
- Long Span Bridges (LSBs): The Cabinet sanctioned 161 Long Span Bridges (estimated at ₹961 crore) that are essential for the alignment of already sanctioned road stretches.
- Standardized Design: Uses modern construction technology and emphasizes Green Roads by utilizing waste plastic and cold mix technology to reduce the carbon footprint.
Significance
- The extension ensures that the intended benefits of rural connectivity—such as increased literacy and reduced maternal mortality—reach the last mile by completing unfinished projects.
- Enhancing connectivity to GrAMs allows farmers to get better prices for their produce, directly impacting the vision of doubling farmers’ income.
