The Centre has sanctioned more than 10,000 kilometres of rural road projects across Jammu and Kashmir, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana Phase IV, marking a major milestone in India’s rural connectivity programme and reinforcing the national commitment to inclusive growth and Viksit Bharat.
The approvals will directly benefit around 3,270 habitations that were previously isolated, enabling access to reliable all-weather connectivity and essential services such as healthcare, education, markets and employment opportunities. Spread across geographically diverse regions ranging from remote hill districts to interior rural belts, the newly sanctioned road projects are expected to significantly improve mobility, reduce travel time and enhance the overall quality of life in these areas.
The latest sanctions form part of the larger objective of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana Phase IV, which aims to provide road connectivity to 25,000 unconnected habitations identified under Census 2011 criteria. These include habitations with a population of 500 and above in plains, 250 and above in northeastern and hill states and Union Territories, special category areas such as Scheduled Tribe regions under Schedule V, aspirational districts and blocks, desert areas, and habitations with a population of 100 and above in Left Wing Extremism affected districts.
Under PMGSY IV, the Government has set a target of constructing 62,500 kilometres of all-weather rural roads across the country. In addition to road construction, the scheme also provides for the building of required bridges along road alignments to ensure year-round connectivity, particularly in regions prone to seasonal disruptions due to rainfall, floods or difficult terrain.
The implementation of PMGSY IV was approved by the Union Cabinet on 11 September 2024 under the chairmanship of Narendra Modi. The Cabinet cleared the proposal of the Department of Rural Development for implementation of the scheme during the period from financial year 2024–25 to 2028–29. The total outlay approved for PMGSY IV stands at ₹70,125 crore, comprising a central share of ₹49,087.50 crore and a state share of ₹21,037.50 crore.
Officials emphasised that the newly sanctioned projects will play a critical role in accelerating rural development by integrating remote habitations with mainstream economic activity. Improved road connectivity is expected to enhance access to government welfare schemes, strengthen agricultural supply chains, support local entrepreneurship and generate employment during and after the construction phase.
The latest approvals underscore the Centre’s sustained focus on strengthening rural infrastructure as a foundation for balanced regional development, ensuring that growth reaches the farthest corners of the country while supporting long-term social and economic transformation.
