Have Rural Roads Built Under PMGSY Crossed the 7.83 Lakh Km Milestone?
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Synopsis
The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) has made significant strides in rural infrastructure by completing over 1.83 lakh rural roads and nearly 10,000 bridges. This initiative is not just about roads; it aims to uplift rural communities by enhancing access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, ultimately reducing poverty.
Key Takeaways
- 1.83 lakh rural roads completed under PMGSY.
- 7.83 lakh km of road length enhanced for rural connectivity.
- Significant improvements in access to education and healthcare.
- Focus on sustainable development with green technologies.
- Future plans include connecting 25,000 unconnected habitations.
New Delhi, Sep 14 (NationPress) A remarkable 1.83 lakh rural roads spanning 7,83,727 km and 9,891 bridges have been successfully completed under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) to date, enhancing connectivity for isolated villages across the nation, as per official statistics released on Sunday.
The PMGSY initiative has greatly improved access to educational and healthcare facilities, created jobs in both agricultural and non-agricultural sectors, and allowed farmers to achieve better prices for their goods. This program has been pivotal in reducing poverty levels.
As of August 2025, a total of 1.91 lakh rural roads covering 8,38,611 km and 12,146 bridges have been authorized under the PMGSY, marking it as a fundamental aspect of rural development, as stated.
The scheme’s aim is to provide unbroken road access to unconnected habitations in rural regions by establishing a single all-weather road. It also intends to connect eligible unconnected habitations of specified population sizes in the core network to uplift the socio-economic status of rural communities.
The substantial budget allocation for PMGSY in recent years highlights the government’s commitment to enhancing rural road infrastructure. For the fiscal year 2025–26, the program remains allocated Rs 19,000 crore, demonstrating ongoing efforts to improve rural infrastructure, ensure all-weather road connectivity, and boost economic prospects in rural areas.
The PMGSY also encourages the integration of local, non-conventional, and green technologies in rural road construction. Utilizing innovative and eco-friendly construction methods helps to lower costs while efficiently managing industrial and municipal waste. This approach also supports the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those aimed at poverty reduction.
By August 2025, 1,66,694 km of road length has been sanctioned under the scheme using new and green technologies, with 1,24,688 km already constructed, showcasing the program’s strong focus on sustainable and environmentally-friendly practices in rural road development, ensuring durability while minimizing ecological impact.
The Road Connectivity Project for Left Wing Extremism-Affected Areas is a targeted initiative aimed at enhancing road infrastructure in these districts, promoting security, accessibility, and development. It focuses on improving road infrastructure in 44 severely affected Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) districts and nearby regions across nine states: Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh.
This initiative has dual goals: to facilitate smooth and effective operations against LWE by security forces, and to encourage socio-economic advancement in these remote and vulnerable areas by providing improved access to markets, education, and healthcare, thus reducing isolation and promoting inclusive growth.
The government approved Phase IV of PMGSY on September 11, 2024, with the objective of providing all-weather road access to 25,000 unconnected habitations. The eligibility criteria are based on Census 2011 population data, targeting areas with over 500 population in plain regions and 250 in North Eastern and hill states, including special category areas such as tribal regions, aspirational districts, and desert areas.
Point of View
It is imperative to acknowledge the transformative impact of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) on rural infrastructure. With a focus on enhancing connectivity and fostering socio-economic growth, the PMGSY stands as a testament to the government’s commitment to uplift the rural populace, ensuring that no habitation is left behind.
NationPress
14/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana?
The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) is a government initiative aimed at providing all-weather road connectivity to unconnected habitations in rural areas, enhancing access to essential services and promoting socio-economic development.
How many roads and bridges have been completed under PMGSY?
As of now, over 1.83 lakh rural roads and nearly 10,000 bridges have been completed under the PMGSY, covering a total distance of 7.83 lakh kilometers.
What are the benefits of PMGSY?
The PMGSY has improved access to education and healthcare, generated employment opportunities, and helped farmers achieve better prices for their produce, significantly contributing to poverty alleviation.
What is the future plan for PMGSY?
The government has approved Phase IV of PMGSY, which aims to provide all-weather road connectivity to 25,000 unconnected habitations across various states.
How does PMGSY promote sustainable practices?
The PMGSY promotes the use of local, non-conventional, and green technologies in road construction, which not only reduces costs but also contributes to sustainable development goals.
