Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Sep 14: The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) has crossed a major milestone in transforming rural infrastructure, with over 1.83 lakh roads and nearly 9,900 bridges completed across the country, significantly improving connectivity for remote villages. Official data released on Sunday revealed that, as of August 2025, 7,83,727 km of rural roads and 9,891 bridges have been completed under the scheme, while a total of 1.91 lakh roads (8,38,611 km) and 12,146 bridges have been sanctioned.
Since its launch, PMGSY has been a game-changer in rural development, linking unconnected habitations with all-weather roads and enhancing access to essential services such as education, healthcare, and markets. The improved connectivity has not only spurred local economic growth but also contributed to employment generation and poverty reduction, making it a key driver of socio-economic upliftment.
With a dedicated budget of Rs 19,000 crore for the current financial year (2025–26), the programme continues to enjoy strong policy backing. Emphasizing sustainability, the PMGSY actively promotes the use of local materials and green technologies in road construction. Out of a total of 1,66,694 km of roads sanctioned under these eco-friendly practices, 1,24,688 km has already been built. This shift toward greener infrastructure supports India’s progress on several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those focused on poverty alleviation and climate resilience.
In addition to mainstream rural development, the PMGSY has played a strategic role in enhancing connectivity in conflict-affected areas. Under the Road Connectivity Project for Left Wing Extremism (LWE)-Affected Areas, the scheme has targeted 44 of the most severely affected districts across nine states, including Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Maharashtra. The initiative has a dual purpose: to aid anti-LWE operations by improving mobility for security forces, and to integrate remote regions into the broader development framework by facilitating access to services and opportunities.
Further expansion of the programme was approved in September 2024 under PMGSY Phase IV, aiming to connect 25,000 additional unlinked habitations. Using Census 2011 data for eligibility, this phase focuses on habitations with populations of 500 or more in plain areas, and 250 or more in hilly, tribal, desert, and northeastern regions, ensuring the inclusion of the most vulnerable and underserved communities.
With its sustained focus on infrastructure, sustainability, and inclusivity, the PMGSY continues to reshape rural India, laying the foundation for long-term development and national integration.