The Government of India has been implementing a number of schemes and programs under various Union Ministries from time to time. In one way or another, all these schemes converge at the twin aims of poverty alleviation and socio-economic prosperity.
In this article, we will discuss the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana or PMGSY.
Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana
The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana Phase 1 was launched by the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India on December 25, 2000. The PMGSY is entirely sponsored by the Central Government. The project was launched by then-PM Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana Objectives
The central objective behind launching the scheme is to connect the thus-far unconnected village settlements in all parts of rural India. This will be achieved by constructing weatherproof roads with proper drainage facilities. The larger aim behind developing this roadway network is to develop socio-economic infrastructure of the rural areas and thereby providing impetus to solving other problems.
Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana Important Terms
- Habitation: A Habitation is a group of people living in an area, the location of which does not change with time. It is a permanent settlement.
- Unconnected Habitat: This is a cluster with a population of designation size that is at a minimum distance of 500 meters from a connected Habitat.
- Core Network: A Core Network refers to the very basic network of routes/ roads that are essential to providing access to socio-economic services to the local people such as schools, markets and hospitals.
- OMMAS: For this yojana, an Online Management, Monitoring and Accounting System or OMMAS has been designed that will help the government to keep track of the progress and identify target areas.
- All-weather road: An all-weather road is one that can be used for traffic and commute at all times of the year under any weather conditions. In particular, the road is said to be protected against potential damage caused by heavy rain.
Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana Features
- The unit for the scheme is a Habitation.
- A strong IT backbone has been set in place as discussed above (OMMAS).
- The area-wise need-based planning for local areas will be done first at the Block Level.
- The selected Unconnected Habitations will be connected to close(st) Habitations that have already been connected to all-weather roadway services.
- The scheme does not allow the repair of cement roads even if their condition is poor.
- Each State will identify an autonomous Agency that will work at the State level to monitor and use the funds received from the Central Government. The bank account will be operated by the District Programme Implementation Units (DPIUs).
- Proper planning is the core factor behind achieving the direct and indirect objectives of the project and in a cost-effective manner.
- The program has simultaneously been trying to increase the green cover near the roads by planting trees, particularly fruit-bearing trees.
Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana Phase 2
Phase 2 was launched in 2013 with the aim to repair and improve 50,000 km of existing roadway networks. Once again, the idea behind this was to enhance the functionality of roads for smooth and efficient transportation of people, goods and services.
Road Connectivity Project for Left Wing Extremism Areas (RCPLWEA)
The Government launched a branch of the PMGSY in 2016 termed the Road Connectivity Project for Left Wing Extremism Affected Areas (RCPLWEA). The sub-project was initiated by identifying 44 districts in need of assistance. These areas are important from the perspective of internal security of the country.
The RCPLWEA has been implemented in Arunachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Manipur and Sikkim among others. Presently, 267 Left Wing Extremist blocks have been identified. Each block must have a population of 100 or above according to the 2001 Census.
Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana Phase 3
The PMGSY Phase 3 was launched in 2019 for the consolidation of 1,25,000 Km. The implementation period of the PMGSY-III will end in March, 2025 (2019-20 to 2024-25).
In this phase, the funds will be shared in a ratio of 60:40, Centre to State respectively with the exception of some states like Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand where the ratio is 90:10.
State Rural Roads Development Agency (SRRDA)
The SRRDA looks after the management of funds received from the Central Government. It also prepares and submits annual planning proposals along with rural roadway planning and managing the various sectors of finance, labour, contract and management of constructed roads. The agency is headed by the Chairman or President. He is assisted by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Engineer among other members of the agency.
Evaluating PMGSY Over the Years
Since its inception, the PMGSY has seen an expenditure of ₹ 255,712 Cr and 671,906 km of roads have been covered. In the last 2 decades, 171,384 habitations have been connected.
PMGSY Highlights
- The scheme was first launched in 2000.
- Phase 2 was launched in 2013.
- Phase 3 was launched in 2019.
- The Ministry of Rural Development is the pivotal body responsible for this scheme.
- The progress and implementation of the scheme can be tracked here.
- The National Rural Roads Development Agency (NRRDA) has been especially set up for this yojana.
Associated Schemes
- Bharat Nirman Yojana
- Mukhya Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana
- Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojna
We hope this article helps you hone your General and Agricultural Awareness preparation for the upcoming exams. These topics are extremely important for those of you who are preparing for any Agricultural exam like NABARD Grade A, NABARD Grade B, IBPS SO AFO, IBPS RRB PO and SSC Sectional Officer among others We are preparing for an entire series of blogs on government schemes for Agriculture and Rural Development that will help you write your objective and descriptive papers. Some of these blogs have been provided below. Stay tuned for the upcoming blogs.
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