Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday emphasised the state government’s commitment to connecting small settlements in Uttarakhand with roads under the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).
He highlighted that the double-engine government has been working diligently to improve road connectivity, ensuring even remote areas are linked through all-weather roads.
According to a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), significant progress has been made in the recently concluded financial year. The state has now set its sights on connecting remaining settlements under the fourth phase of PMGSY. As part of this initiative, 814 km of roads were constructed in the last financial year, demonstrating substantial infrastructural development.
Recognising Uttarakhand’s efforts, the Government of India has approved funds for the construction of nine bridges under the third phase of PMGSY. The financial expenditure under the scheme for the financial year 2024-25 amounted to approximately ₹933 crore, exceeding the target of ₹900 crore.
This represents an increase of ₹133 crore compared to the previous year’s expenditure. In terms of physical achievement, the construction of 814 km of roads in 2024-25 surpassed the previous year’s progress by 206 km.
On the final day of the last financial year, the Government of India sanctioned ₹40.77 crore for the construction of nine bridges under PMGSY-3.
Looking ahead, under PMGSY-4, the department has identified 1,490 roadless settlements and completed the survey for approximately 8,500 km of road construction in the first phase. The preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) has already commenced to expedite the process.
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To maintain quality standards in road construction, the department has implemented a specialised inspection app. This digital tool enables field officers to regularly record inspections, allowing senior officials to monitor construction quality more efficiently.
The initiative has been well received at the national level, with the Government of India encouraging other states to adopt similar measures.
The Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana was launched in 2000 by the Central Government to provide road connectivity to remote villages. In its first three phases, the scheme successfully connected villages with a minimum population of 500.
With the completion of previous phases, the state is now focused on reaching the remaining unconnected settlements, ensuring comprehensive road access for all.
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