Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak

Yojana : Enhancing
Connectivity
A comprehensive overview of the PMGSY’s Objectives,
Evolution, Budget, Achievements & Challenges.
Key Objectives

1 3
Provide All-Weather Enhance Social
Road Connectivity Inclusion
Connect unconnected Reduce the isolation
villages with a of rural
population of 500 or communities,
more in plains and 250 particularly in
or more in hilly, tribal, remote and
and desert areas. Ensure 2 underdeveloped 4
reliable year-round road Provide All-Weather areas, to foster Enhance Social
access to enhance Road Connectivity social inclusion. Inclusion
mobility. Improve access to
Facilitate easier
markets, schools,
access to resources
healthcare, and
and services,
employment
contributing to
opportunities,
poverty reduction
thereby enhancing
and improved
the economic well-
quality of life in rural
being of rural
areas.
residents.
 Evolution of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)

Phase II Implementation
Launch of PMGSY Focused on upgrading existing rural roads
to all-weather standards, emphasizing
The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak connectivity to markets, schools, and
Yojana was officially launched by healthcare facilities. Integrated with
the Prime Minister as a 100% other rural development programs, it
Centrally Sponsored Scheme, aimed to strengthen infrastructure,
emphasizing the government’s enhance economic opportunities, and
focus on improving rural improve quality of life in rural areas by
connectivity through consolidating the existing road network.
1999 infrastructure development. 2000-12 2019-25

2000 Phase I Implementation 2013-19 Phase III Implementation

Initial Announcement
Aimed to provide all-weather road Aims to consolidate the rural road
The Government of India made
connectivity to unconnected rural network by upgrading critical roads
a commitment to achieve total
habitations, prioritizing villages with linking villages to socio-economic hubs
rural connectivity, announced
populations of 500+ in plains and like markets, schools, and hospitals.
by the President. This led to the
250+ in hilly or tribal areas. It Emphasizing sustainability, it incorporates
strategic initiative aimed at
focused on building new roads, green technologies in road construction.
constructing all-weather roads
improving rural mobility, and This phase focuses on enhancing
in rural areas, marking a
enabling access to healthcare, connectivity, boosting rural economies,
significant step toward
education, and markets, fostering and achieving comprehensive
enhancing rural infrastructure.
socio-economic development. infrastructure development by March
2025.
 Budget Analysis of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)

BUDGET ALLOCATED ₹3,44,500 Cr Funding Sources

25000 According to available Central Government:
20000 information, the total budget Funds 60% of the project in
15000 allocated to the Pradhan most states, and 90% in the
10000 Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana North Eastern and Himalayan
since its inception in 2000. states
5000
State Government:
0
Expenditure Breakdown Funds the remaining 40% of
the project in most states, and
New Roads Construction: 70% 10% in the North Eastern and
Upgradation of Roads: 25% Himalayan states
BUDGET ALLOCATED Maintenance: 5%
25000

20000

15000
Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana -IV is launched for
10000 financial year 2024-25 to 2028-29. Total outlay of this
5000 scheme is Rs. 70,125 crore (Central Share of Rs.
49,087.50 crore and Sate Share of Rs. 21,037.50
0
2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 crore)
Achievements
 Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) – Lessons Learnt/Failures

1 2 3 4
Achieved 90% of Largest number of Land Acquisition Issues Case Study : PMGSY
initial targets after 17 unconnected Delays, disputes, and roads in Jhunjhunu
years, mainly due to habitations are in five resistance from local district, Rajasthan, India.
resource constraints states: communities affect the
Newly constructed
and limited Bihar : 6,996 habitations timely progress of road
roads are primarily used
implementation construction projects.
Assam : 5,276 for agricultural
capacity. Implementation
habitations activities.
Uniform structure of Process: PMGSY does
Odisha : 2,497 Minimal growth in other
the program caused not allow direct
habitations occupations, leading to
implementation application from
Jharkhand : 2,015 low diversification of
challenges, especially individual villagers;
habitations livelihoods.
in states lacking the projects are initiated
capacity to meet West Bengal : 1,632 and prioritized by state
deadlines. habitations governments.
 Problem Statement

Inadequate road connectivity in rural areas has been a persistent issue, significantly hindering the socio-economic
development of these regions. Many villages in India still lack proper roads, making it difficult for residents to access
essential services such as healthcare, education, and markets. The absence of reliable transportation infrastructure has left
rural communities isolated and struggling to improve their quality of life. This problem is most prominent in rural and
remote areas of the country, where road infrastructure is either poorly developed or completely missing. The situation is
particularly challenging in regions with difficult terrains, such as hilly or forested areas, where constructing roads requires
specialized expertise and additional resources. The lack of proper road connectivity stems from several factors, including
limited investment in rural infrastructure, challenging geographical conditions, and inefficiencies in the planning and
implementation of road construction projects. These hurdles have collectively slowed down efforts to bridge the urban-rural
divide in terms of accessibility and opportunities. The people most affected by this issue are rural populations, including
farmers, students, and small-scale entrepreneurs. Farmers struggle to transport their produce to markets, students face
difficulties accessing schools, and entrepreneurs are unable to connect to larger markets to expand their businesses.
Additionally, limited connectivity exacerbates problems during emergencies, such as medical crises or natural disasters,
when reaching help quickly is critical. The difficulties caused by poor road connectivity become especially evident during the
monsoon season when unpaved roads become impassable, or during emergencies when the lack of access can lead to life-
threatening situations. Recognizing these challenges, the government launched the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana
(PMGSY) to address the issue comprehensively. The scheme focuses on constructing all-weather roads to connect unlinked
villages with main roads and highways. By improving rural road infrastructure, PMGSY aims to enhance connectivity, open
up economic opportunities, and significantly improve the quality of life in rural areas.
 The problem is inadequate road connectivity in rural areas, which
What?
hinders access to essential services and opportunities. The absence
of all-weather roads leaves many villages isolated, particularly in
difficult terrains.
The lack of connectivity stems from limited infrastructure investment,
Why?
challenging geographical conditions, and inefficiencies in planning
and implementing road projects. These factors perpetuate economic
and social disparities, making rural development a significant
challenge.
Rural populations, especially farmers, students, small-scale
Who?
entrepreneurs, and residents in remote or geographically challenging
regions, are most affected. The issue also impacts emergency
services and disaster response.
Where?
The problem is most prominent in rural and remote areas of India,
particularly in regions with difficult terrains such as hilly, forested, or
flood-prone areas.

Where? The issue is ongoing and becomes especially critical during

emergencies, the monsoon season (when unpaved roads become
impassable), and times of economic or social crises.
Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) – Stakeholder Matrix
Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) – Root Cause Analysis

The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) was launched with the ambitious goal of enhancing
rural connectivity by constructing all-weather roads, improving access to essential services and
boosting socio-economic development. Despite its commendable objectives and significant progress,
the scheme faces several challenges that hinder its effective implementation.
These issues stem from a variety of interrelated factors spanning human, technical, procedural,
environmental, material, and evaluative domains. Problems such as lack of skilled manpower,
inadequate machinery, procedural inefficiencies, geographical constraints, and weak monitoring
mechanisms contribute to delays, substandard construction quality, and underutilization of
resources. Political interference, corruption, and logistical hurdles further exacerbate these
challenges, particularly in remote and economically weaker regions.
This root cause analysis delves into the fundamental issues underlying the difficulties faced in
PMGSY implementation.
 FISHBONE DIAGRAM ( Plain Terrain)

Man Machine

Lack of proper supervision by RD

Department officers. Shortage of Lack of adequate machinery for
skilled and local workers. road construction.

Problem of child labor. Maintenance of equipment

Lack of engineers and delayed.
specialists.
Problems in
04 03 02 01 PMGSY Road
Construction

Percentage system leading to

Increasing rates of raw materials.
substandard work quality.
Delayed release of funds to Lack of suppliers for quality
contractors causing time and construction materials.
cost overruns

Method Material
 FISHBONE DIAGRAM (Hilly Terrain)

Geographical/Environmental Land Acquisition Issues

Hilly terrain difficult for logistics Unclear land records

Limited flat land available Disputes over land ownership

for construction

Problems in
04 03 02 01 PMGSY Road
Construction
Lack of training in advanced Local communities uncooperative
construction technology for with construction; unaware of
hilly terrain scheme benefits
Inadequate use of geotechnical Political interference, especially
surveys from the opposition party

Technical Expertise Social & Political Factors

Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) – Cost Benefit Analysis
 Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) – PPP

Enhanced Monitoring: Third- Transparent Tendering: E-tendering

party audits by private agencies can ensure qualified bidders are
can curb corruption and ensure selected, reducing political
quality control. interference.

Skilled Workforce Community Engagement:

Development: Private Private firms can work on
partners can conduct land acquisition and
training programs to stakeholder communication
enhance the skills of local to reduce resistance and
workers. delays.
 PMGSY – Solution Oriented Recommendation

Strengthen Monitoring Streamline Fund Allocation:

Mechanisms.
Introduce a PPP-driven financial

01 Implement third-party audits and

real-time project monitoring
systems using private expertise to
04 model to ensure the timely release
of funds and efficient utilization
for construction and maintenance
ensure quality construction. activities..

Transparent and Merit-Based

Skill Development Initiatives: Tendering

02 05
Training centers in partnership Adopt e-tendering and automated
with private firms to create a evaluation systems to eliminate
skilled local workforce,. political interference and select
contractors based on merit and
technical expertise.

Modernize Equipment and

Maintenance

03
Collaborate with private entities to
supply advanced machinery and
set up dedicated maintenance
hubs for timely repairs in difficult
terrains.
PMGSY – Good Governance Recommendations

Accountability Mechanism.
Strengthen monitoring and
evaluation frameworks with
third-party audits and regular
inspections to enhance
accountability.

Corruption Prevention
Introduce strict anti-
corruption laws, penalties and
whistleblower mechanisms.
Good Governance
Recommendations
Use Of Technology
Leverage GIS, drones and
IoT for real time tracking of
construction and quality
maintenance.

Timely Fund Distribution

Establish a streamlined
process to ensure timely
allocation and utilization of
funds, preventing project
delays