New Delhi, 11 September: The Union Cabinet has approved the Department of Rural Development’s proposal to implement Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-IV (PMGSY-IV) from the financial years 2024-25 to 2028-29.
The scheme aims to provide financial assistance for the construction of 62,500 km of all-weather roads, connecting 25,000 unconnected habitations, as well as upgrading and building necessary bridges. According to the official statement, PMGSY-IV has a total outlay of Rs 70,125 crore, with Rs 49,087.50 crore coming from the central government and Rs 21,037.50 crore from state governments.
This phase will focus on connecting habitations with populations over 500 in plains, over 250 in Northeastern states, hill regions, and special category areas, and over 100 in Left Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected districts, as per the 2011 Census. The roads will also connect nearby government facilities, including educational, healthcare, market, and growth centers, to aid local communities.
The program will incorporate international standards and best practices in road construction, such as cold mix technology, the use of waste plastic, panelled cement concrete, cell-filled concrete, full-depth reclamation, and utilizing construction waste like fly ash and steel slag. The PM Gati Shakti portal will assist in road alignment planning and in the preparation of detailed project reports (DPRs).
These new roads are expected to act as catalysts for socio-economic development, transforming rural and remote areas.
(With PTI inputs)