Jammu & Kashmir Administrative Services (JKPSC)

• 02 Dec 2024

Progress of PMGSY in Jammu & Kashmir

Why in News?

Under the centrally sponsored Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) nearly 3,500 projects, including 217 bridges, have been completed over the past two decades in Jammu and Kashmir.

Key Points

• Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY):
  • PMGSY was launched on 25^th December, 2000.
    • However, the PMGSY was introduced in J&K in 2001-02 to provide all-weather connectivity to rural habitations with populations above 250, based on the 2001 Census.
  • Objective: To provide connectivity, by way of an all-weather road to unconnected habitations.
  • Eligibility: Unconnected habitations of designated population size (500+ in plain areas and 250+ in North-Eastern States, Himalayan States, Deserts and Tribal Areas as per 2001 census) in the core network for uplifting the socio-economic condition of the rural population.
• Progress and Achievements of PMGSY in J&K:
  • A total of 3,742 projects, including 305 bridges, with a road length of 20,801 km, have been approved since its inception.
  • As of now, 3,429 projects, including 217 bridges, have been completed, connecting 2,129 out of the targeted 2,140 habitations, with an expenditure of Rs 12,650 crore.
• Recent developments of PMGSY in J&K:
  • Over the last five years, PMGSY in J&K has received focused attention, significantly improving rural connectivity, especially in remote and hilly areas, aligning with the "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas" vision.
  • The uncompromising quality standards for road and bridge construction to ensure durable and safe infrastructure for the region was emphasized.
  • The need for daily monitoring to address challenges and meet project timelines effectively was highlighted.

Phases of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)

• PMGSY - Phase I
  • PMGSY - Phase I was launched in December, 2000 as a 100 % centrally sponsored scheme.
  • Under the scheme, 1,35,436 habitations were targeted for providing road connectivity and 3.68 lakh km. for upgradation of existing rural roads in order to ensure full farm to market connectivity.
• PMGSY - Phase II
  • The Government subsequently launched PMGSY-II in 2013 for upgradation of 50,000 Kms of existing rural road network to improve its overall efficiency.
  • While the ongoing PMGSY - I continued, under PMGSY phase II, the roads already built for village connectivity were to be upgraded to enhance rural infrastructure.
  • The cost was shared between the centre and the states/UTs.
• PMGSY - Phase III
  • Phase III was approved by the Cabinet during July 2019.
  • It gives priorities to facilities like:
    • Gramin Agricultural Markets (GrAMs)
      • GrAMs are retail agricultural markets in close proximity to the farm gate that promote and service a more efficient transaction of the farmers’ produce.
    • Higher Secondary Schools and
    • Hospitals.
  • Under the PMGSY-III Scheme, it is proposed to consolidate 1,25,000 Km road length in the States. The duration of the scheme is 2019-20 to 2024-25.