PMGSY (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Govt Schemes)

Context: Recently, the Union Minister of State for Science & Technology laid the e-foundation and virtually inaugurated several road projects under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) in Kathua district.

Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)

• About: PMGSY is a nationwide initiative aimed at providing all-weather road connectivity to previously unconnected villages in India.
• Launched: Introduced in 2000 by then-Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
• Funding: Initially, a 100% centrally sponsored scheme; funding shifted to a 60:40 ratio between the Centre and the State from 2015-16.
• Eligibility Criteria: Rural areas with a population of 500 and above in plain areas.
• Hill states, NE, desert states, tribal areas, and other backward areas with a population of 250 and above.

PMGSY - Phase I

• Launch: Initiated in December 2000 as a fully centrally sponsored scheme.
• Targeted: 1,35,436 habitations for road connectivity.
• Aim: To upgrade 3.68 lakh km of existing rural roads, ensuring comprehensive farm-to-market connectivity.
• PMGSY - Phase II
• Launch: In 2013, focusing on upgrading 50,000 km of the existing rural road network.
• Operational Framework: Simultaneous continuation of PMGSY - I.
• Upgrading previously built roads for village connectivity, emphasizing rural infrastructure enhancement.