Tomar inaugurates Phase–III of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : Union Rural Development, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare & Panchayati Raj, Minister Narendra Singh Tomar launched Phase III of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) on the sidelines of the National Workshop on PMGSY organised by the Ministry of Rural Development in New Delhi.

The Phase-III of PMGSY aims at consolidation of 1,25,000 km Through Routes and Major Rural Links that connect habitations to Gramin Agricultural Markets (GrAMs), Higher Secondary Schools and Hospitals at an estimated cost of Rs 80,250 crore (Central Share of Rs 53,800 crore) for the period 2019-20 to 2024-25. The funding pattern for the PMGSY-III will be 60:40 between Centre and the States for States other than NE & Himalayan States and 90:10 for NE and Himalayan States as applicable for Central sponsored schemes, according to a PIB release.

Addressing the gathering at the inaugural session, Tomar said that PMGSY is an important programme for the nation. He said that there was a time when people could not imagine that villages will get quality roads as it was a difficult task. The Minister hailed the vision of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and said that he was determined to complete this difficult task and it was thanks to his vision and efforts that today more than 6 lakh km of Roads have been constructed across rural India. The Minister highlighted the importance of roads in bringing about all round positive development and empowering the villages.

Tomar emphasised that States must ensure that maintenance of roads is done on a regular basis to ensure that quality of roads remain good. He said that now with the launch of Phase III of PMGSY, States must ensure effective implementation of the scheme. He expressed happiness that as on December 16, 2019, a total of 1,53,491 rural road works have been completed under the PMGSY Scheme connecting 97.27% of the eligible and feasible habitations and adding up a road length of 6,07,900 km across the country. Out of the above, a road length of 36,063 km has been constructed using green technologies, a major portion of which includes Waste plastic and cold mix technology.