The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the implementation of the fourth phase of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY-IV) for the construction of 62,500 km of new roads providing all-weather connectivity to 25,000 villages. The Cabinet, Chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the proposal for the financial years 2024-25 to 2028-29 with a total outlay of `70,125 crore, a statement said. The central share is Rs 49,087.50 crore and the state share is Rs 21,037.50 crore. “Under this scheme 25,000 unconnected habitations of population size 500+ in plains, 250+ in NE & Hill States/UTs, special category areas (Tribal Schedule V, Aspirational Districts/Blocks, Desert areas) and 100+ in LWE affected districts, as per Census 2011 will be covered,” the statement said. “Under this scheme 62,500 Km of all-weather roads will be provided to unconnected habitations. Construction of required bridges along the alignment of the all-weather road will also be provided,” it said. In her budget speech on July 23, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had announced that the Phase IV of PMGSY will be launched to provide all-weather connectivity to 25,000 rural habitations which have become eligible in view of their population increase. The statement said, “The all-weather roads will play the role of catalysts for the required socio-economic development and transformation of the remote rural areas. While connecting habitations, the nearby government educational, health, market, growth centres will be connected, as far as feasible, with the all-weather road for the benefit of the local people.”
