Cabinet approves continuation of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-III upto March 2028
New Delhi, April 18
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Saturday gave its approval for the continuation of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-III beyond March 2025 upto March 2028.
It involves consolidation of Through Routes and Major Rural Links connecting habitations to Gramin Agricultural Markets (GrAMs), Higher Secondary Schools and Hospitals. The revised outlay of the scheme will be Rs 83,977 crore, according to an official release.
The Cabinet further, amongst other things, approved the following: Extension of timeline till March 2028 for completion of roads and bridges in plain areas and roads in hilly areas.
Extension of timeline till March 2029 for completion of bridges in hilly areas.Works sanctioned before 31.03.2025 but un-awarded till now may be taken up for tender/award.
Long Span Bridges (LSBs) (161 Nos. with estimated cost of Rs 961 crore) are pending for sanction, but lying on the alignment of already sanctioned roads may be sanctioned and tendered/awarded.
Revision of outlay to Rs. 83,977 crore from the original outlay of Rs 80,250 crore.
The extension of the timeline of PMGSY-III will enable the full realisation of its intended socio-economic benefits by ensuring completion of the targeted upgradation of rural roads.
It will significantly boost the rural economy and trade by enhancing market access for agricultural and non-farm products, reducing transportation time and costs, and thereby improving rural incomes, the release noted.
Improved connectivity will facilitate better access to education and healthcare institutions, ensuring the timely delivery of essential services, particularly in remote and underserved areas.
The continued implementation will also generate substantial employment opportunities, both directly through construction activities and indirectly by promoting rural enterprises and services.
Overall, the extension will contribute to inclusive and sustainable development by bridging the rural-urban divide and advancing the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, the release concluded.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good news, but the focus should be on quality and timely completion. In our district, some roads sanctioned years ago are still incomplete or have deteriorated quickly. Hope the oversight is strict this time.
Connecting to schools and hospitals is the most crucial part. In many hilly areas, children miss school during monsoon because the kuccha roads become unusable. This will be a game-changer for education and healthcare access.
As someone who has worked in rural development, I can say infrastructure like this is foundational. The economic multiplier effect of good rural roads is immense. It's not just about concrete, it's about connectivity and opportunity.
The budget increase is significant. Hope the funds are utilized properly and there is transparency. Rural development is key for a Viksit Bharat. Let's ensure the work reaches the last mile, not just on paper.
Finally some attention to long span bridges in hilly areas! Travel in the Northeast and Uttarakhand becomes a nightmare without proper bridges. This will boost tourism and local economy big time. 🙌
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