15-Dec-2021: Quality Control of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) Roads

As per the programme Guidelines of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), ensuring the quality of the road works is responsibility of the respective State governments. The Ministry of Rural Development has issued general guidelines on quality control and has prescribed Quality Assurance Handbook for Rural Roads to regulate the quality control processes, at the work level.

There is a three-tiered Quality Control mechanism for ensuring construction of quality road works and durability of road assets under PMGSY. Under the first tier, the Programme Implementation Units (PIUs) are required to ensure process control through mandatory tests on material and workmanship at field laboratory. The second tier is a structured independent quality monitoring at the State level through State Quality Monitors (SQMs) to ensure that every work is inspected at initial stage, middle stage and final stage of construction. Under the third tier, independent National Quality Monitors (NQMs) are deployed by central Government for random inspection of road and bridge works to monitor quality and also to provide guidance to the field functionaries. In addition to this, the quality issues are also reviewed in detail with the States in various Regional Review Meetings and Pre-Empowered/Empowered Committee Meetings by the Ministry.

The implementation of all sanctioned works is being monitored through online programme Monitoring Information System named Online Management, Monitoring and Accounting System (OMMAS) on real time basis.

Quality Management System (QMS) Application is a quality monitoring application, used by National Quality Monitors/ State Quality Monitors for their field visit. All the inspections conducted by them are recorded through this App by recording geo-tagged photographs and quality monitoring observations, which are then automatically uploaded on OMMAS.

A Mobile App “Meri Sadak” was launched on 20th July, 2015 with the view to achieve the objectives of e-governance and Digital India for user friendly and transparent Citizen Feedback and complaint redressal system. The citizens, with the use of this application, can express their concerns related to slow pace, abandoned work or quality of PMGSY works.

As per PMGSY guidelines, maintenance of roads constructed under the programme is the responsibility of the State Governments and all road works are covered by initial five year maintenance contracts to be entered into along with the construction contract, with the same contractor, as per the Standard Bidding Document. Maintenance funds to service the contract are required to be budgeted by the State Governments and placed at the disposal of the State Rural Roads Development Agencies (SRRDAs) in a separate maintenance account. On expiry of the 5 year post construction maintenance, PMGSY roads are required to be placed under Zonal maintenance contracts consisting of 5 year maintenance including renewal as per maintenance cycle, from time to time, which are also financed by the state governments.

As per the programme guidelines, the tendering, execution and ensuring quality of construction to the prescribed standard is the responsibility of the State Government concerned. The states being the implementing agencies for execution of PMGSY works, taking action/imposing penalty on defaulting contractors in execution of PMGSY works is vested with the State.

14-Dec-2021: Selection Criteria for Roads under PMGSY

A total of 6,80,040 Km road length has been constructed under various interventions of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) as on 8th December, 2021. The details of road length constructed state-wise, district-wise and year-wise under various interventions of PMGSY may be accessed at the programme website omms.nic.in->progress monitoring->Financial Year wise Achievement.

PMGSY-I was launched as a one-time special intervention to provide rural connectivity, by way of a single all-weather road, to the eligible unconnected habitations of designated population size (500+ in plain areas and 250+ in North-Eastern States, Himalayan States and Himalayan Union Territories as per 2001 census) in the core network for uplifting the socio-economic condition of the rural population. Relaxation has been provided to the Desert Areas (as identified in the Desert Development Programme), the Tribal (Schedule V) areas and Selected Tribal and Backward Districts (as identified by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Planning Commission) and unconnected habitations in these areas with a population of 250 persons and above in the Core Network as per Census 2001 are eligible for connectivity under the scheme. In the critical Left Wing Extremism affected blocks (as identified by Ministry of Home Affairs), additional relaxation has been given to connect habitations with population 100 persons and above as per 2001 census. The Scheme had also an element of upgradation (to prescribed standards) of existing rural roads in districts where all the eligible habitations of the designated population size have been connected with all-weather road connectivity. The roads connecting the targeted habitations were taken up for sanction under the new connectivity component of the scheme. Under upgradation component, intermediate link roads, which were not upto the standards of all-weather roads, were taken up for upgradation to the prescribed standards.

Under PMGSY-II, launched in 2013, which envisages upgradation of the existing rural road network to improve its overall efficiency as a provider of transportation services for people, goods and services, the selection of roads in a particular district/ block has been done by the States/ UTs based on the utility value of the eligible roads computed on the basis of their economic potential and their role in facilitating the growth of rural market centres and rural hubs.

Under Road Connectivity Project for Left Wing Extremism Affected Areas (RCPLWEA), which was launched in 2016 with the twin objectives of enabling smooth and seamless anti-LWE operations by the security forces and also ensuring socio-economic development of the area, the selection of the projects is done by the Ministry of Home Affairs in consultation with the states and security forces.

Under PMGSY-III, launched in 2019, which envisages consolidation of existing Through Routes (TR) and Major Rural Links (MRL) connecting habitations, inter-alia, to Gramin Agricultural Markets, Higher Secondary Schools and Hospitals, the selection of roads in a particular district/block is done by the States/UTs based on the utility value of the eligible roads computed on the basis of the population served by the road and market, educational, medical and transport infrastructure facilities connected by the concerned road.

The PMGSY has inbuilt mechanism for consultation with public representatives at planning, selection of roads and monitoring stages. As per the programme guidelines of the current phase i.e. PMGSY-III, the proposals received from the Members of Parliament with regard to selection of roads are given full consideration and such proposals that cannot be included are communicated in writing to the Members of Parliament with reasons for non-inclusion of such proposal in each case. In order to ensure that the State Government give due attention towards provisions of the programme guidelines while submitting the proposals to the Ministry of Rural Development for sanction, the Ministry has issued an advisory to the States on 2ndJune, 2020. The State Governments have been advised, inter-alia, to communicate the final list of proposals in the order of priority to the Member of Parliament with the reasons for non-inclusion of certain roads in the proposals and obtain their consent on the proposals sent for approval.

The eligibility under PMGSY is determined on the basis of habitations to be connected. As per programme guidelines, the unit of this programme is a habitation and not a revenue village or a Gram Panchayat.

There is a three-tiered Quality Control mechanism for ensuring construction of quality road works and durability of road assets under PMGSY. Under the first tier, the Programme Implementation Units (PIUs) are required to ensure process control through mandatory tests on material and workmanship at field laboratory. The second tier is a structured independent quality monitoring at the State level through State Quality Monitors (SQMs) to ensure that every work is inspected at initial stage, middle stage and the final stage of construction. Under the third tier, independent National Quality Monitors (NQMs) are deployed by National Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (NRIDA) for random inspection of roads and bridge works to monitor quality and also to provide guidance to the field functionaries. Thus, completed roads are compulsorily inspected by SQMs, and inspected on sample basis by NQMs.

17-Nov-2021: Cabinet approves continuation of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)-I, PMGSY-II and Road Connectivity Project for Left Wing Extremism Affected Areas (RCPLWEA)

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today gave its approval to the proposals of Department of Rural Development, Ministry of Rural Development for continuation of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-I and II upto September, 2022 for completion of balance road and bridge works. The CCEA also approved continuation of Road Connectivity Project for Left Wing Extremism Affected Areas (RCPLWEA) upto March, 2023.

Government of India 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. 20,950 Km road length and 1,974 bridges are balance for completion out of total sanctioned   6,45,627 Km road length and 7,523 bridges. Thus, these works will now get completed.

Under PMGSY-II, upgradation of 50,000 Km rural road network was envisaged. Total 49,885 Km road length and 765 LSBs have been sanctioned, of which only 4,240 Km road length and 254 bridges are balance. Thus, these works will now get completed.

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 rural economy. Extension of time upto September, 2022 is being granted to help these states to complete the balance works.

Road Connectivity Project of Left Wing Extremism affected Areas (RCPLWEA) was started in 2016 to improve connectivity in 44 LWE affected districts in 9 states. 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 upto March, 2023 for completion of these projects, which are very critical from communication and security point of view.

The PMGSY promotes use of new and green technology in construction of rural roads. Locally available materials are used in road construction in order to promote cost-effective and fast construction. So far more than 1 Lakh Km road length has been taken up using new and green technology, out of which, more than 61,000 km has been completed. The State of Uttar Pradesh has recently been sanctioned 1,255 Km road length for construction using Full Depth Reclamation Technology, which will not only save cost and time in a big way, but also conserve natural resources and reduce carbon footprint.

The PMGSY envisages a three tier Quality Assurance Mechanism to ensure quality of road works during construction and post-construction. The number of quality monitors both at central and state levels as also the intensity of the inspections have been increased for a better quality management. The proportion of satisfactory works has witnessed increasing trend in recent years.

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.

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.

Point-wise details

PMGSY-I

• PMGSY-I was launched in the year 2000 to provide connectivity to eligible unconnected habitations of 500+ in plain areas and 250+ in North-East and Himalayan states as per census, 2001. The Scheme also included component of upgradation of existing rural roads for those districts where all the eligible habitations had been saturated.
• In the year 2013, it was decided to also cover habitations of population size 100-249 as per census, 2001 in the Left wing Extremism Affected blocks identified by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• Out of 1,78,184 habitations of 250+ and 500+ population size identified for coverage under the scheme, 1,71,494 habitations have already been connected and 1,968 habitations are balance as on 15th November, 2021. The remaining 4,722 habitations have either been dropped or are not feasible. In 100-249 category, out of total sanctioned 6,260 habitations, only 464 habitations are balance as on 15th November, 2021.
• A total of 6,45,627 Km road length and 7,523 bridges have been sanctioned under PMGSY-I, of which only 20,950 Km road length and 1,974 bridges are balance as on 15th November, 2021.
• Majority of the pending projects are in North-East & Himalayan states/UTs.
• CCEA approved extension upto March, 2019, on 9th August, 2018.
• All the balance habitations are targeted for connectivity within the proposed extended period, i.e. upto September, 2022 by constructing 20,950 Km road length and 1,974 bridges.

PMGSY-II

• PMGSY-II, which was approved by the Cabinet in May, 2013, envisaged consolidation of 50,000 Km of existing rural road network.
• All the proposals of states/UTs have been sanctioned.
• Out of total 49,885 Km and 765 bridges sanctioned under the scheme, only 4,240 Km road length and 254 bridges are balance.
• Majority of the pending projects are in North-East & Himalayan states/UTs as also in the State of Bihar.
• CCEA approved extension upto March, 2020, on 9th August, 2018.
• All pending projects are targeted for completion within the proposed extended period, i.e. upto September, 2022.

Road Connectivity Project for Left Wing Extremism Affected Areas

• Launched in 2016 for construction/upgradation of 5,412 Km road length and 126 bridges of strategic importance in 44 districts in 9 states, viz. Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh, with an outlay of Rs. 11,725 crore.
• Implementation period: 2016-17 to 2019-20
• Road and bridge works to be taken up under the scheme have been identified by the Ministry of Home Affairs in consultation with states and security forces.
• 10,231 Km road length and bridges sanctioned under the scheme so far with an outlay of Rs. 9,822 crore, including the additional proposals recommended by MHA subsequently.
• 4,490 Km road length and 105 bridges have already been completed.
• Balance projects and additional projects of around 1,887 Km, which are yet to be sanctioned, are targeted for completion within the proposed extended period, i.e. upto March, 2023.

Major Impact, including employment generation potential

• Various independent impact evaluation studies carried out on PMGSY have concluded that the scheme has had a positive impact on agriculture, health, education, urbanization and employment generation, etc.
• Rural Connectivity is a development imperative. All weather road connectivity to balance habitations would unlock the economic potential of the connected habitations. Upgradation of the existing rural roads would improve the overall efficiency of road network as a provider of transportation services for people, goods and services. The construction/upgradation of roads would generate both direct and indirect employment to the local populace.

Implementation Strategy and targets

• The interventions/verticals for which extension of time have been solicited are already under implementation under PMGSY. All the projects under PMGSY-I and II are already sanctioned. The Ministry would endeavour to sanction balance additional proposal under RCPLWEA by December, 2021.
• The Ministry would constantly follow-up the progress with the states to ensure completion of the balance projects with the extended time-line.

Background

• PMGSY-I was launched with an objective to provide single all-weather road connectivity to eligible unconnected habitation of designated population size ( 500+ in plain areas and 250+ in North-East, hill, tribal and desert areas as per Census, 2001) for overall socio economic development of the areas. The Government subsequently launched new interventions/verticals namely PMGSY-II, RCPLWEA and PMGSY-III.
• The present proposal is for extension of time-line for PMGSY-I, II and RCPLWEA.
• The PMGSY-III was launched in the year 2019 for consolidation of 1,25,000 Km existing Through routes and Major rural links connecting habitations, inter-alia, to Gramin Agricultural Markets, Higher Secondary Schools and Hospitals and the implementation period of the scheme is upto March, 2025.

17-Aug-2020: Under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, 1858 roads of length 11,517 km and 84 bridges have been completed in Jammu & Kashmir

Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, is a flagship program of Govt. of India for providing connectivity to unconnected habitations, based on census 2001. In the UTs of J&K and Ladakh, all unconnected habitations of population above 250, are eligible under the program. In the UT of Jammu & Kashmir, 3,261 roads of length of 19,277 km and 243 bridges have been sanctioned, out of which 1858 roads of length 11,517 km and 84 bridges have been completed. Similarly, in the UT of Ladakh, 142 roads of length of 1207 km and 3 bridges have been sanctioned, out of which 96 roads of length 699 km and 2 bridges have been completed till July 2020. Works for connecting 2,149 eligible unconnected habitations were sanctioned in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir, out of which 1,858 habitations have been connected. In the UT of Ladakh, works for 65 eligible habitations were sanctioned and 64 habitations have been already connected by July 2020.

Large number of sanctioned road works could not be started by August 2019, because of non- availability of clearance from forest department. However, substantial numbers of such pending cases have been resolved, and works have been awarded and started during last one year, with changes in the governance system. During last one year, 181 number of road works of length 1,292 km and 11 bridges have been completed, with an expenditure of more than Rs 715 Crores.

Following two cases are presented as good examples of development of road works under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).

Upgradation of Link Road from T03 to Stok (PMGSY Leh)

Length: 11.70 Kms, Sanctioned Cost: Rs. 1299.78 Lacs

The road proposed to village Stok in district Leh, takes off from km 2nd of Choglamsar Hemis road to Stok village for a length of 11.70 Kms benefitting a population of 1855, as per 2001 census. This scheme was sanctioned under PMGSYS-I, in the year 2018-19 (Phase XII). The earlier road was in a damaged condition and was not serving as all-weather road. This road is being constructed by using plastic waste for the first time in the entire Leh district. In this technology, the waste plastic is used in shredded form, and is pushed into the hot mix plant over the heated aggregates. The plastic melts and coats the heated aggregates, before the aggregates are coated with hot bitumen. This technology will reduce the plastic waste and also strengthen the pavement structure of the road, by reducing the water absorption of aggregates. This project was started in the year 2019 and length of 7 Kms has been completed up to Bituminous Surface level and the balance length is in progress and shall be completed by October-2020. By upgradation of the road, the habitants of the village Stok will get all weather connectivity with the nearest market due to which the socio-economic conditions of the habitants will be improved. During summer, thousands of tourists go to this village to visit the Museum in Royal palace, Stok Monastery and also the start point of the trek route to Stok Kangri which is a major tourist attraction.

Upgradation of Road from Supply More T03 to Kainthgali (PMGSY Jammu)

Length: 27.70 Kms, Sanctioned Cost: Rs. 2389.32 Lacs

This road takes off from Supply More Udhampur to Kainthgali village in district Udhampur, having length of 27 Km benefitting a population of 1608 souls as per 2001 census. This project has been sanctioned under PMGSYS-I, Phase XII in the year 2018-19. The work has been awarded, in October 2018. This project has been taken up for upgradation in 2018-19, but work being slow due to various impediments and clearances etc. Now the work is in good pace and length of 11 Km has been completed up to BT status and the balance work up to BT status shall be completed by March-2021. By up-gradation/improvement of this road, the population of the 5 No villages namely Dabreh, Krimachi, Mansar, Pathi, kainthgali will be provided better connectivity to the nearest market and District Head-Quarter Udhampur.

With construction of such all-weather roads, the socio-economic condition of the inhabitants of the stated villages will certainly improve and the habitants will have better access to schools, health centres and markets. There are some tourist spots near these roads and during summer, thousands of tourists go to tourist destinations such as Panchari, Stok Kangri, Stok Monastery which are surrounded with meadows of forest and mountains and during winters, snow-clad mountains and a picturesque landscape with the most scenic views reflects the nature’s beauty at its best. The road from supply more to Kainthgali also provides all weather road to a well-known pilgrimage centre where lacs of tourists visit every year.  With construction of these roads, the inflow of tourists will certainly increase thereby improving the living standards of the inhabitants of the rural/far-flung areas.

7-Jan-2019: Green Technology in PMGSY

In order to encourage locally available materials and use of green technologies for construction of road under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), guidelines were issued by the Ministry, wherein the State Governments are required to propose minimum 15% of total length of annual proposals under New technologies such as Cement stabilization, Lime stabilization, Cold mix, Waste plastics, Cell filled concrete, Paneled cement concrete pavement, Fly ash etc. Further, Ministry of Rural Development specifications have also been relaxed in respect of grading of materials for Granular Sub Base layer in order to encourage the usage of locally available/naturally occurring material/marginal materials.

The Ministry has so far sanctioned 35,922 Km length of roads using New Technologies and 22,983.96 Km have been completed.

The State of Andhra Pradesh had submitted proposal for converting 37 roads of 163.49 Km sanctioned under Road Connectivity Project for Left Wing Extremism Affected Areas with conventional method of construction to New Technology. The same has been approved and communicated to the State. There is no other proposal of the State on New Technology pending with the Government at present.

9-Aug-2018: Cabinet approves continuation of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana beyond 12th Five Year Plan period

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, has given its approval for continuation of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) beyond 12th Five Year Plan period.  It will help in connecting 38,412 habitations at an estimated cost of Rs. 84,934 crore (Central Share is 54,900 crore and State share is 30,034 crore). The fund sharing pattern will be same.

Habitation (population 250+) would be covered by March, 2019. PMGSY-II and habitations under identified LWE blocks (100-249 population) would be covered by March 2020.

Initially the targets of PMGSY were to be achieved by March 2022, however, the sunset date of achievement of PMGSY-I was preponed to March, 2019, with enhanced fund allocation and changed funding pattern i.e. in the ratio of 60:40 between the Centre and State for all States except for 8 North Eastern and 3 Himalayan States (Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh & Uttarakhand) for which it is 90:10. The Task of connecting 1,78,184 eligible unconnected habitations under PMGSY on its way towards completion by March, 2019. So far, 95% habitations (1,69,415) have been sanctioned, of which 91% habitations (1,54,257) have been connected including 16,380 habitations connected by the States from their own resources. Against the sanctioned length of 6,58,143 km, 5,50,601 km road length has been completed. Under, PMGSY-II, against the target length of 50,000 km works of upgradation almost 32,100 km road length have been sanctioned in 13 States, which have transited to PMGSY-II. Against the sanctions issued, 12,000 km road length has been completed up to March, 2018.

Background: Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) was launched on 25th December, 2000 with the objective to provide All-Weather road connectivity to the eligible unconnected habitations in rural areas of Country. The programme envisages connecting all unconnected habitations with a population of 500 persons (as per 2001 Census) and above in plain areas.  Also eligible are the unconnected habitations with 250 persons and above (Census 2001) in Special Category States' namely North-East, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Uttarakhand, the Desert areas (as identified in Desert Development Programme) and 88 Selected Tribal and Backward districts as identified by the Ministry of Home Affairs/Planning Commission. For Most intensive Integrated Action Plan (IAP) blocks as identified by Ministry of Home Affairs, the unconnected habitations with population 100 and above (as per 2001 census) is eligible to be covered under PMGSY.

31-May-2018: Government of India and World Bank signs $500 Million Additional Financing for Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana Rural Roads Project

The Government of India and the World Bank signed a $500 million loan agreement to provide additional financing for the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) Rural Roads Project, implemented by Ministry of Rural Development, Govt. of India, which will build 7,000 km of climate resilient roads, out of which 3,500 km will be constructed using green technologies.

The World Bank has supported PMGSY since its inception in 2004. So far it has invested over $1.8 billion in loans and credits mostly in the economically weaker and hill states across North India - Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh. It has built and improved about 35,000 km of rural roads and benefited about eight million people with access to all-weather roads.

Adequate maintenance of the existing 4.6 million km of road network is emerging as a major challenge. Many parts of the existing road network are either vulnerable to or have already suffered damage from climate induced events such as floods, high rainfall, sudden cloud bursts and land-slides.

To support the rural economy and communities and households that depend on rural livelihoods, it will be critical to ensure that infrastructure is built and maintained to withstand climatic changes. This project will demonstrate how climate resilient construction can be integrated in the strategy and planning of rural roads.

The PMGSY and the Bank’s involvement under this additional financing, will emphasize on managing the rural road network through green and climate-resilient construction using green, low-carbon designs and new technologies – far beyond merely funding civil works. This will be done through the following measures:

1. Climate vulnerability assessment during the design process to identify the critical locations affected by floods, water-logging, submergence, cloud bursts, storms, landslides, poor drainage, excessive erosion, high rainfall, and high temperatures.
2. Special treatment for flood-affected areas through adequate waterways and submersible roads to allow easy passage of water, use of concrete block pavements, and improved drainage;
3. Use of environmentally optimized road designs and new technologies which uses local and marginal materials and industrial by-products such as sand, local soils, fly ash, brick kiln wastes, and other similar materials in place of crushed rocks;
4. Innovative bridges and culverts through use of pre-fabricated/pre-cast units for roads and bridges having better ability to withstand earthquakes and water forces such as continuous beams, bearing free construction, and river training works;
5. Use of hill cutting material in hill roads ensuring its productive use and resolving its disposal problem, use of bio-engineering measures, improved drainage and other treatments for landslide prone areas and providing adequate slope protection.

The Additional Financing will also fill the gender gap by creating employment opportunities for women in construction and maintenance. The earlier project had piloted community-based maintenance contracts through women self-help groups (SHGs) for routine maintenance of 200 km of PMGSY roads in Uttarakhand, Meghalaya and Himachal Pradesh. SHG-run maintenance contracts will now be extended to about 500 km roads over 5 states.

All components of the project will have substantial climate co-benefits and help road agencies in India to substantially minimize GHG emissions. Improving road conditions alone will result on an average in direct savings of 2.68 million tons annually in GHG emissions and minimize the annual losses of about $9 billion in the road asset value and an equal amount by way of high vehicle operating costs.

The $500 million loan, from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), has a 3-year grace period, and a maturity of 10 years.

16-Apr-2018: PMGSY well on its way to achieve March 2019 target

Roads are primary to any development agenda. PMGSY, since its inception in 2000, has been able to provide connectivity to 1,52,124 habitations (85.37% against 1,78,184 eligible habitations). Sensing the importance and urgency of rural roads for national development the target date for completion of PMGSY-I has been preponed from 2022 to 2019. Working towards this accelerated target, sanctions have been given to 1,66,012 habitations (93%) against the target of 1,78,184 eligible habitations. PMGSY through its all-weather roads has contributed this key ingredient of development to 11,499 new unconnected habitations for the first time in 2017-18.

Less than 1% eligible habitations remain to be sanctioned for new connectivity under PMGSY, remaining 6% habitations are either not-feasible or sanctioned by the States from their own resources. Connectivity has been provided to 1,52,124 habitations (including 16,380 habitations connected by the States). In addition, 2109 habitations of 100-249 population have been connected. Under the program, 5,50,533 kms of road length has been constructed.

This centrally sponsored programme implemented in partnership with the state governments, has seen greater focus and consistent improvement in pace and quality in the last three years. The pace of construction of PMGSY roads reached an 8 year high of 134 kms per day in 2017-18 as against an average of 73 kms during the period 2011 to 2014. A total of 48,751 kms of PMGSY roads, connecting 11,499 eligible habitations have been constructed in 2017-18 at an average rate of 134 kms per day.

PMGSY II was launched in 2012-13, so far, 13 states have moved to stage II of the programme. As against a target of 50,000 km, 32,024 km has been sanctioned and 17,705 km road length has been upgraded. Other states are likely to move to PMGSY II in FY 2018-19.

Cabinet has approved a special project for Road Connectivity Project for Left Wing Extremist Areas (RCPLWE) in December 2016. Out of 340 roads of 5,411.81 kms and 126 bridges approved by the Cabinet 268 roads of 4,134.69 km and 181 bridges were also sanctioned in 2017-18. Works in these areas are likely to be completed by 2020. This is over and above the special provision for 100-249 population villages in 267 LWE Blocks, where work is likely to be completed by 2020.

Improving roads, improving lives: PMGSY not only strives to build roads but good quality roads. The in-built frame work of Quality Management mechanism in PMGSY is a combination of in-house quality control measures and independent verification at state and national levels. 39,811 inspections by State Quality Monitors (SQMs) and 9,204 inspections by National Quality Monitors (NQMs) at the National level were done in 2017-18. This intensified Monitoring has impacted Quality grading positively; 13.98% completed roads were graded as unsatisfactory in 2013-14, the quality of roads has improved substantially, in 2017-18 with 7.46% completed roads graded as unsatisfactory. Rectifications are carried on these roads after the inspections to remove all inconsistencies.

Transparency: As a measure of Transparency and Accountability, the scheme has put in place a Citizen Feedback system through the MeriSadak App. In addition to Hindi and English, the App is available in 10 regional languages also. This provides a direct interface with the citizens and this G2C platform enables citizens to provide real time feedback on the implementation of the PMGSY programme. Out of 25,414, complaints/feedback related to PMGSY, final replies have been sent in 24,791(97%) cases.

New Technology; green roads: Use of non-conventional, locally available construction materials (waste plastic, cold mix, fly ash, jute and coir geo-textiles, iron and copper slag, cell filled concrete, paneled cement concrete etc.) and “Green Technologies” have been encouraged for climate resilient roads in PMGSY. There has been wide acceptability of these technologies. In the last few years, 33,888 km of road length has been sanctioned and 17,785 km of road length has been constructed. During the financial year 2017-18, a record length of 6,313 kms has been constructed using green technologies. Rajasthan, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Jharkhand are using this in building green PMGSY roads.

Key Priorities for PMGSY for financial year 2018-19: All eligible habitations under PMGSY-I are targeted to be completed by March 2019. Accordingly, Ministry has set a target of construction of 61,000 kms road length by providing connectivity to 19,725 habitations during the financial year 2018-19. Similarly, a target of about 12,000 kms has been set for construction of roads using green technologies. During the financial year 2018-19, about 8,670 inspections of National Quality Monitors and 35,630 inspections of State Quality Monitors are targeted to be completed.

Community Contracting initiative in Rural Roads.

Maintenance of roads assets created under PMGSY is a big focus for the Ministry and through various advocacy workshops etc. Rural Road Maintenance policies have been framed for 23 States. Maintenance software eMarg used in MP will be replicated in all states to streamline maintenance systems of rural roads.

A pilot was initiated by the Ministry to involve SHGs in roads maintenance. Uttarakhand Rural Roads Development Agency (URRDA) under the guidance of National Rural Roads Development Agency (NRRDA) initiated Community Contracting for “Off-Carriageway Maintenance” in rural roads through the registered all Women Mahila Mangal Dal (MMD). Community contracting for roads maintenance is not only used as a tool for empowerment of women, it also empowers the community to maintain roads especially in hilly terrains. This model has been successfully tried in Badwani District of MP as well.

Use of IT: Satellite imagery is being used to verify the completion of road length being reported by States on the programme software i.e. OMMAS as well as to verify habitation connectivity.  The work of GIS has commenced in all the Districts in the 28 States and GIS has been completed in 19 States. Further use of geo spatial technology for mapping rural roads built under PMGSY are being geo mapped using remote sensing technology, through NRSC and CGARD –NIRD.