Updation of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)

Updation of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) to allow revision of the core network to include left-out habitations

The Union Cabinet today gave its approval to the following :

(i) Revision of the Core Network by including:

(a) 2,687 left-out unconnected habitations (as per the 2001 census) in Tribal (Schedule-V) areas (other than 82 Integrated Action Plan (lAP) districts already included) and blocks adjoining the international border under the Border Area Development Programme (BADP). It was also approved to provide new connectivity to these habitations, at an estimated cost of Rs. 5,929 crore (at 2012-13 prices) and allowing upgradation of certain roads measuring about 2,000 km in these areas at an estimated cost of Rs.1,000 crore (at 2012-13 prices), based on a road condition survey which will determine an up gradation priority list.

(b) 1,410 left out unconnected habitations with population of 250 persons and above (as per the 2001 census) in the 10 Hill States and desert areas (as identified under the Desert Development Programme(DDP)) to provide new connectivity to these habitations, at an estimated cost of Rs. 8,551 crore (at 2012-13 prices);

(c) 9,112 left out unconnected habitations with population of 500 persons and above (as per the 2001 census) in plain areas to provide new connectivity to these habitations, at an estimated cost of Rs.13,850crore (at 2012-13 prices).

(ii) Extension of the cluster approach from international border blocks to international border districts of the State of Arunachal Pradesh, by clubbing the population within a path distance of 10 km, and treating as a cluster for eligibility and to provide new connectivity to 126 habitations at an estimated cost of Rs.1,200 crore (at 2012-13 prices).

(iii) `In principle` approval for covering unconnected habitations with population of 100 persons and above (as per the 2001 census) in the Left Wing Extremists affected blocks (identified in consultations with the Ministry of Home Affairs) with a limited provision to complete missing links, to form closed loops from through routes of the core network at an estimated cost of Rs. 8,000 crore (at 2012-13 prices).

PMGSY was launched in the year 2000 and has the objective of providing all-weather connectivity to all unconnected habitations with population of 500 persons and above 250 persons and above in hilly states, desert areas (as identified under DDP), Tribal Schedule-V areas and 82 selected tribal and backward districts as identified under Integrated ActionPlan in rural areas of the country.

The net number of total eligible unconnected habitations are 1,64,849. This is likely to increase to 1,78,184habitations on account of this relaxation. Till 31^st December, 2012, project proposals for providing connectivity to 1,26,179eligible habitations have been sanctioned. The total cost of sanctioned projects, including the projects for upgradation of roads under PMGSY is Rs. 1,42,945 crore. Against this, Rs. 1,02,658 crore has been released to the States/UTs including administrative costs. As reported by the States, a total of 3,66,789 km roads including upgradation have been constructed till 31^st December, 2012 and all-weather connectivity has been provided to 89,382 eligible habitations