Government to launch PMGSY-IV for enhanced rural connectivity | Fusion - WeRIndia

The Centre is set to launch the fourth phase of its flagship Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY-IV) to improve rural connectivity. This new phase aims to connect 50,000 habitations with all-weather roads.

These habitations include those with populations above 250 in plain areas and 100 in special category states. This initiative is part of the Ministry of Rural Development’s (MoRD) 100-day agenda.

The proposal for PMGSY-IV, valued at ₹1.9 lakh crore, will see the Centre contributing ₹1.3 lakh crore, while states will provide the remaining ₹60,000 crore.

This significant investment aims to boost capital expenditure in the rural economy. The habitations will be identified based on Census 2011 data, ensuring that connectivity reaches those areas most in need.

The emphasis will be on villages within 50 km of national highways and access to rural growth centres in farm and non-farm sectors.

The MoRD has started the process to secure Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) approval for the project.

A draft EFC note was circulated on May 28 for interministerial comments, and some ministries have already shared their views. The proposal will soon be sent to the Union Cabinet for final approval, which is expected within the first 100 days of the NDA government.

The PMGSY was first launched on December 25, 2000, by the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA government.

The second phase followed in 2013, and the Road Connectivity Project for Left Wing Extremism Affected Areas (RCPLWEA) was introduced in 2016 to address the needs of those regions. The third phase began in 2019, continuing the government’s commitment to rural development.

The PMGSY-IV, along with the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G), is expected to drive substantial investment and job creation in rural areas.

In its first Cabinet meeting, the NDA government has already approved the construction of 2 crore additional houses under PMAY-G.

This combined effort underscores the government’s dedication to improving the quality of life in rural India, ensuring that infrastructure and housing developments keep pace with the needs of the population.

By focusing on improved connectivity and infrastructure, the PMGSY-IV aims to enhance economic opportunities in rural areas, reduce isolation, and support the overall development of these regions.

The initiative reflects the government’s strategic approach to fostering inclusive growth. At the same time, it also ensures that development benefits reach all sections of society.

Image Credit: খাঁ শুভেন্দু, CC BY-SA 4.0 < >, via Wikimedia Commons

Image Reference: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:A_rural_road_is_being_carpeted_with_pitch_at_Kharua_Rajapur_under_the_Banglar_sarak_(Pradhan_Mantri_Gram_Sadak_Yojana)_scheme.jpg