J&K gets ₹8,000 crore road projects under PMGSY-IV to boost rural connectivity
Synopsis
The Centre has sanctioned nearly ₹8,000 crore in road projects for Jammu & Kashmir under PMGSY-IV — the second consecutive phase to prioritise the Union Territory. With remote habitations yet to be linked to schools, hospitals, and markets, the approval signals a sustained infrastructure push in one of India's most geographically challenging regions.
Key Takeaways
The Centre sanctioned road projects worth nearly ₹8,000 crore for Jammu & Kashmir under PMGSY-IV (Batch-II) on 29 April 2025 .
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan handed the sanction letter to CM Omar Abdullah at SKICC, Srinagar .
J&K was prioritised in both phases of PMGSY-IV approvals, reflecting the region's connectivity needs.
A separate ₹4,568.23 crore sanction was released under DAY-NRLM for 24 states and Union Territories to strengthen women-led self-help groups.
A team of ICAR scientists will be deputed to J&K to study climate, soil, water resources, and agricultural potential and prepare a comprehensive roadmap.
The Ministry of Rural Development on Tuesday, 29 April 2025, announced the sanction of road projects worth nearly ₹8,000 crore for Jammu & Kashmir under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)-IV, in a significant push to strengthen rural connectivity, support agriculture, and improve livelihoods across the Union Territory's remote habitations.
Sanction Letter Handed Over in Srinagar
Union Minister for Agriculture, Farmers' Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan formally handed over the sanction letter for projects approved under PMGSY-IV (Batch-II) to Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at a programme held at the SKICC in Srinagar. Chouhan described the approval of road projects of this scale within a single year as a significant achievement, underscoring the Centre's commitment to the development of the Union Territory.
He noted that Jammu & Kashmir had been prioritised in both phases of PMGSY-IV approvals — an acknowledgement of the region's challenging geography and its historically underserved rural population.
What the Road Projects Aim to Achieve
According to Chouhan, the objective of the scheme goes beyond physical infrastructure. The minister stated that the goal was to connect remote villages, habitations, and far-flung areas with essential services including schools, hospitals, and markets, thereby integrating them into the mainstream of development.
Emphasising a broader vision, Chouhan said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government was committed not only to building roads but also to
Point of View
000 crore sanction for Jammu & Kashmir under PMGSY-IV is notable not just for its scale but for the sequencing — J&K has now been prioritised in both batches of Phase IV, a pattern that reflects the Centre's political calculus as much as developmental need. The real measure of success, however, will be execution: PMGSY's earlier phases left a significant number of habitations unconnected in J&K's mountainous terrain, and the gap between sanctioned amounts and roads actually built has historically been wide. The additional ICAR agricultural roadmap and the DAY-NRLM livelihood funds suggest a more integrated rural development push — but whether these parallel initiatives are coordinated or siloed will determine their combined impact on the ground.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is PMGSY-IV and what has been sanctioned for Jammu & Kashmir?
PMGSY-IV is the fourth phase of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, the Centre's flagship rural road connectivity scheme. Under its Batch-II, road projects worth nearly ₹8,000 crore have been sanctioned for Jammu & Kashmir to connect remote villages and habitations to schools, hospitals, and markets.
Who handed over the sanction letter and where was the event held?
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan handed the sanction letter to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at a programme held at the SKICC in Srinagar on 29 April 2025.
What is the DAY-NRLM sanction announced alongside the road projects?
A 'mother sanction' of over ₹4,568.23 crore was released under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) for 24 states and Union Territories, aimed at strengthening women-led self-help groups and promoting rural livelihoods.
What role will ICAR play in Jammu & Kashmir's development?
A team of scientists from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) will be deputed to Jammu & Kashmir to study the region's climate, soil, water resources, and agricultural potential, and prepare a comprehensive development roadmap.
Why has Jammu & Kashmir been prioritised in both phases of PMGSY-IV?
According to Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, J&K's challenging geography and scattered population make rural connectivity a critical need. The Union Territory was prioritised in both Batch-I and Batch-II of PMGSY-IV approvals to accelerate the linking of remaining unconnected habitations.
