The Union Cabinet has given the green light to the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-IV (PMGSY-IV), aimed at improving rural connectivity. This initiative, set for the financial years 2024-25 to 2028-29, involves constructing 62,500 km of roads and upgrading bridges, with a total outlay of ₹70,125 crore.
The funding will be divided between the central government, which will contribute ₹49,087.50 crore, and state governments, which will provide ₹21,037.50 crore. The project is designed to provide new connectivity to 25,000 previously unconnected habitations.
PMGSY-IV will target habitations with a population of over 500 in plains, over 250 in Northeast and hill states, Union Territories, and special category areas, and over 100 in Left Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected districts, based on Census 2011 data.
In addition to road construction, the scheme includes building necessary bridges to ensure all-weather connectivity. These roads are expected to spur socio-economic development and transformation in remote rural areas.
The scheme aims to connect habitations with key facilities such as educational institutions, health centers, markets, and growth hubs to benefit local communities.
PMGSY-IV will incorporate modern technologies and best practices in road construction, including cold mix technology, waste plastic use, panelled cement concrete, and cell-filled concrete.
The planning and execution of PMGSY-IV will leverage the PM Gati Shakti portal, which will assist in creating detailed project reports (DPRs) and align road development with national infrastructure goals.
This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing rural infrastructure and bridging connectivity gaps across the country.