With six states having completed the targets set for new connectivity and upgradation projects under the phase 1 of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), government plans to begin the second phase. They are Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Nagaland and Haryana.
The central government under the new scheme may fund 75 percent of the cost of the road project, while the state government will provide for the rest of the 25 per cent. The second phase would concentrate on road upgradation rather than new road connectivity.
The government will consider relaxing population requirements to be eligible under the scheme for hilly and naxal affected regions. Currently rural roads in villages having less than 500 habitations do not qualify for funding under the scheme. Also, special focus for new connectivity is likely to be given to border areas where construction of roads has stagnated since the last two years.
PMGSY launched in 2002 led to the creation of 350,000 km of roads connecting 84,000 lakh rural habitations.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.