A parliamentary panel has asked the Union Rural Development Ministry to tighten the supervision of road construction in rural areas under the PMGSY, indicating the use of poor-quality materials.

About Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana

It started as a 100 % centrally sponsored scheme launched in the year 2000 to provide all-weather rural road connectivity to eligible rural habitations.
Ministry: Ministry of Rural Development
Eligibility: Population size >500 in plain areas and >250 in hills and other difficult areas.
Funding Pattern: The funding pattern was revised to a 60:40 ratio between Centre and State in 2015-16, and a 90:10 ratio for Northeastern States and Himalayan States.
The scheme has four verticals, (i) PMGSY I, (ii) PMGSY II, (iii) Road Connectivity Project for Left Wing Extremism Areas (RCPLWEA), and (iv) PMGSY III.
- PMGSY I (2000): It was launched to provide rural connectivity, by way of a single all-weather road, to the eligible habitations as per Census 2001.
- PMGSY-II (2013): It was launched with a target to upgrade 50,000 Km in various States and Union Territories.
- Road Connectivity Project for Left Wing Extremism Affected Areas (RCPLWEA) (2016): It was launched for construction and upgradation of strategically important roads; mainly to improve the road connectivity in left wing extremism affected districts and adjoining areas.
- PMGSY-III (2019): It was launched for consolidation of 1,25,000 Km to connect major rural links connecting habitations, inter-alia, to Gramin Agricultural Markets (GrAMs), Higher Secondary Schools and Hospitals.

Benefits of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana

Boosts rural incomes with new and alternative non-farm livelihood opportunities with increased mobility.
Easier and increased access to markets: Ease of access to newer markets has helped boost family incomes.
Rural roads lead to path of prosperity: Villagers are travelling to other towns and big cities for newer livelihood opportunities.
Better access to health and education: rural roads have enabled school buses to reach far-flung villages, making it easier for children to get to school.
Village roads bring women freedom and choice: More women and girls in villages are going to schools, accessing various facilities and becoming financially independent.

Challenges in achieving desired outcomes of PMGSY

Challenges in PMGSY	Committee Recommendations
Non-timely fund release by states: 41% of the total roads are in a poor state due to non-provisioning of adequate funds by the State.	Consistent flow of funds should be ensured with proper supervision of states and coordination with ministry of finance for the timely release of funds.
Poor Quality of Roads: Due to non-existence or non-functioning of the mandatory provision of quality control labs at the ground level.	Stricter compliance Quality Control Labs on the ground should be ensured for thorough evaluation of sites and maintenance of road quality.
Issues with Tendering and Contractors: Contractors use a practice called "low-tendering," submitting very low bids to win the projects which compromises the quality of materials.	Measures for proper bidding process should be taken to prevent low-tendering along with implementing a rigorous monitoring system.
Post-Construction Maintenance: As per scheme, a road should have a design life of 10 years. However, contractors do not adhere to this which results in degraded road quality.	Post construction road maintenance for 10 years as per provisions of scheme should be ensured. The contractors not abiding by this should be blacklisted.
Use of old census: Habitations under PMGSY are based on the 2001 Census which has led to many eligible habitations being left out.	Inclusion of 2011 census figures: A new vertical should be introduced for the inclusion of habitations as per the 2011 census.