In a major boost for rural connectivity, Himachal Pradesh is set to receive ₹4000 crore under the upcoming phase of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY). This financial aid could pave the way for new roads in 700 remote villages of the state, which have so far remained disconnected from road networks.
700 Villages to Get New Roads
According to sources, the Public Works Department (PWD) has projected that 700 villages in Himachal will benefit from the upcoming phase of PMGSY. These villages were left out in the second phase as their population was below 200, according to the 2011 Census. With the new allocation, PWD has prepared a detailed estimate of ₹1 crore per kilometer, which totals ₹2800 crore for constructing new roads in these villages.
₹1200 Crore for Road Maintenance
The financial aid will not only be used for constructing new roads but also for maintaining the roads built under the previous phases of PMGSY. The PWD has estimated that approximately ₹1200 crore will be needed for road maintenance. This includes upkeep of roads constructed during the first and second phases of the scheme.
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Proposal Sent to Central Government
The Public Works Department has submitted the Detailed Project Report (DPR) to the central government, awaiting approval for the upcoming phase. The Ministry of Rural Development is currently deliberating on the fourth phase of PMGSY. Once finalized, project allocations will be made to different states, including Himachal Pradesh.
Connectivity for Villages with Over 100 Population
The central government is planning to connect villages with a population of over 100 people in the upcoming phase. The PWD is working on this directive from the center to ensure that remote villages in Himachal are linked with the road network. The state has been actively working on securing these projects, aiming for enhanced connectivity in rural areas.
Himachal Received ₹3100 Crore in PMGSY Phase III
In the previous third phase of PMGSY, Himachal Pradesh was allocated ₹3100 crore. The project cost-sharing is done in a 90:10 ratio, with the central government bearing 90% of the cost, while the state government contributes the remaining 10%. The PWD is also exploring other funding avenues like NABARD, with significant approvals already in place.
PWD Efforts for Additional Budget
PWD Chief Engineer N.P. Singh confirmed that efforts are being made to secure additional budget from both PMGSY and NABARD. While the approvals from NABARD have been positive, the department is still waiting for the central government’s decision on PMGSY, which will determine the allocation for Himachal.
