Rural Connectivity Strengthened through Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana

Adopting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Empowered Villages, Developed India,” the state government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, is working toward making Rajasthan’s villages self-reliant. A major catalyst in this transformation is the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), which has completed 25 years of impactful service.

Phase IV: All-Weather Roads for Isolated Settlements

The Central Government has introduced the fourth phase (PMGSY-IV) for the period 2024-25 to 2028-29, with a nationwide target of constructing 62,500 kilometers of roads and a budget provision of ₹70,125 crore.

• Focus Areas: This phase provides all-weather road connectivity to isolated habitations (based on 2011 Census criteria), focusing specifically on Tribal (Fifth Schedule) areas, Aspirational Districts/Blocks, and Desert regions.

Rajasthan Leads in Phase IV Approvals

Rajasthan has received a significant boost for its desert and remote villages in the fourth phase:

• Highest Number of Roads: Out of 4,795 roads approved across India so far, 1,216 roads have been sanctioned for Rajasthan—the highest among all states.
• Road Length: Rajasthan ranks second in the country (after Jammu & Kashmir) in terms of approved length, with 3,219 kilometers sanctioned for the state.
• Budget: Over ₹2,000 crore has been provisioned for these works in Rajasthan.

Phase III: Strengthening Rural Economic Networks

In the third phase, Rajasthan successfully completed 912 road projects covering approximately 8,584 kilometers.

• Impact: This phase improved access to agricultural markets (Mandis), high schools, and health centers.
• Extension: The Union Cabinet has extended the deadline for this phase from March 2025 to March 2028, with a revised national outlay of ₹83,977 crore to ensure 100% saturation of socio-economic goals.

PM-JANMAN: Connectivity for Vulnerable Tribes

Under the PM-JANMAN scheme launched in 2023 for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs):

• In Rajasthan’s Baran district (Shahbad and Kishanganj blocks), 14 road projects totaling 43 kilometers have been completed, significantly improving connectivity for Sahariya tribal settlements.

Awards and National Recognition

At the Silver Jubilee celebrations held recently in Sehore, Madhya Pradesh, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan honored the top-performing states:

1. Total Road Length Completed: Rajasthan secured 2nd Place nationally, with a staggering 75,868 km of roads completed over 25 years.
2. Quality Control: Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu jointly secured 2nd Place for excellence in quality monitoring mechanisms.

To date, Rajasthan has executed 18,131 projects under PMGSY, creating a massive network of 75,868 kilometers of rural roads.

A Transformative 25-Year Journey

Launched in 2000 by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, PMGSY has ensured that villages once cut off during the monsoon now enjoy year-round access to essential services. It has successfully bridged the gap between remote desert hamlets and the mainstream economy.

Disclaimer: This report is based on official data released by the Ministry of Rural Development and the Government of Rajasthan regarding the 25th-anniversary milestones of PMGSY.

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