The Central Government has sanctioned more than 10,000 kilometres of rural road projects across Jammu & Kashmir, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, and Sikkim under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana – Phase IV (PMGSY-IV), marking a major milestone in India’s rural infrastructure development.
Announced by the Press Information Bureau, under the Ministry of Rural Development, the approval reinforces the Government’s commitment to Viksit Bharat by strengthening last-mile connectivity in remote and underserved regions.
Transforming Rural Accessibility
The sanctioned road projects are expected to provide all-weather connectivity to around 3,270 previously unconnected habitations, significantly improving access to essential services such as healthcare, education, markets, and employment opportunities. The initiative is particularly impactful for hill states, tribal areas, aspirational districts, desert regions, and Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected areas, where geographical challenges have historically limited infrastructure growth.
PMGSY-IV: Scope and Targets
Under PMGSY-IV, the Government aims to connect:
- 25,000 unconnected habitations
- Population criteria include 500+ in plains, 250+ in North-Eastern and hill states/UTs, and 100+ in LWE-affected districts (as per Census 2011).
- A total of 62,500 km of all-weather rural roads, including construction of necessary bridges along the alignments.
Financial Outlay
The PMGSY-IV programme was approved by the Union Cabinet on 11 September 2024 for implementation during FY 2024–25 to 2028–29, with a total outlay of ₹70,125 crore. This includes a Central share of ₹49,087.50 crore and a State share of ₹21,037.50 crore.
Strengthening the Rural Backbone
Beyond physical infrastructure, these road projects are expected to catalyse inclusive rural growth, enhance regional equity, and integrate remote communities into the broader economic framework of the country. The initiative underlines the strategic role of rural roads as critical enablers of social and economic transformation.
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