A Centre significant milestone under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-IV has been reached, with over 10,000 km of road projects sanctioned in states and union territories such as Jammu & Kashmir, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, and Sikkim. This initiative aims to improve connectivity for approximately 3,270 previously isolated habitations, facilitating access to healthcare, education, and livelihoods, thereby promoting inclusive growth. The scheme plans to connect 25,000 unconnected habitations and construct a total of 62,500 km of all-weather roads along with necessary bridges. The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved.
Rural Infrastructure Development Strategy
A total outlay of Rs. 70,125 crore for this initiative, covering the fiscal years 2024-25 to 2028-29 The Centre’s approval of 10,000 kilometres of rural road projects across six states under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana Phase IV marks a significant milestone in India’s long-term rural infrastructure development strategy, reflecting the government’s renewed focus on strengthening last-mile connectivity, improving access to essential services, and supporting inclusive economic growth in underserved regions. This large-scale approval comes at a time when rural connectivity is being increasingly recognised as a critical driver of agricultural productivity, rural entrepreneurship.
Logistics efficiency, and social development, especially in the post-pandemic recovery phase where resilient infrastructure has become central to national planning. Under PMGSY-IV, the emphasis is not only on building new roads but also on upgrading existing rural road networks to ensure durability, climate resilience, and all-weather connectivity, thereby addressing long-standing gaps that have historically limited rural mobility and market access. The six states selected for this phase represent regions with diverse geographical challenges and development needs, and the approved projects are expected to directly benefit millions of rural residents by reducing travel.
Rural Connectivity Across
Time, improving access to schools and healthcare facilities, and enabling faster movement of agricultural produce to mandis and urban markets. This initiative builds upon the earlier phases of PMGSY, which have already transformed rural connectivity across large parts of the country, and the current phase places special focus on quality standards, use of modern construction technology, and better maintenance mechanisms to ensure long-term asset performance. By integrating these projects with broader rural development schemes, including agriculture, housing, and digital connectivity programmes, the government aims to create a holistic rural.
Infrastructure ecosystem that supports sustainable livelihoods and regional balance. For detailed background on PMGSY and its objectives, readers can refer to the Ministry of Rural Development’s official portal at rural.nic.in, which outlines the policy framework and (India) implementation structure of the scheme. The funding pattern under PMGSY-IV continues to follow a cost-sharing model between the Centre and the states, ensuring fiscal discipline while enabling states to prioritise road stretches based on local needs and economic potential. The National Rural Infrastructure Development Agency, whose detailed guidelines are available at pmgsy.nic.in, plays a central role in technical vetting.
Healthcare Outreach, Women’s Mobility
Monitoring, and quality assurance of these projects, thereby reducing execution risks and ensuring transparency in procurement and construction processes. Beyond physical connectivity, the socio-economic implications of this approval are equally significant, as improved rural roads have a multiplier effect on education enrolment, healthcare outreach, women’s mobility, and rural tourism, thereby contributing to broader human development indicators. The integration of these roads with district highways and state highways is also expected to strengthen regional logistics networks, reduce transportation costs, and improve supply chain efficiency for farm and non-farm products alike.
From a policy perspective, this approval aligns with the government’s larger infrastructure push under the National Infrastructure Pipeline and Gati Shakti framework, where coordinated planning across ministries is being used to maximise the economic impact of public capital expenditure. Readers interested in recent infrastructure policy updates can explore related coverage on At the implementation level, state governments will play a decisive role in land acquisition, contractor selection, and local coordination, and their performance will largely determine the pace and quality of execution. The Centre has also emphasised the use of green and sustainable construction.
Bureau Releases Available
Practices, including the use of recycled materials and climate-resilient design, to minimise environmental impact while extending the life cycle of rural roads. For independent updates and official announcements, Press Information Bureau releases available at pib.gov.in offer timely insights into project approvals and fund releases. As these projects move from approval to execution, the real test will lie in maintaining construction quality, adhering to timelines, and ensuring that the intended benefits reach the most remote habitations. In the long run, the success of PMGSY-IV will not only be measured in kilometres built but in the economic opportunities created.
The social barriers reduced, and the integration achieved between rural and urban India that rural infrastructure remains at the heart of India’s development (India) agenda, and that sustained investment in connectivity is essential for achieving balanced and inclusive growth in the years ahead.
Q1. What is PMGSY-IV and why is it important?
PMGSY-IV is the fourth phase of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana aimed at upgrading and strengthening rural roads to improve last-mile connectivity.
Q2. How many states are covered under this approval?
The project covers six states selected based on connectivity gaps and rural infrastructure needs.
Q3. How much road length is approved under this phase?
A total of 10,000 किलोमीटर ग्रामीण सड़कों को मंजूरी दी गई है।
Q4. What will be the economic impact of this project?
It will improve access to markets, healthcare, education and generate employment in rural areas.
Q5. When will construction work begin?
The execution will start in phases after DPR approval and fund disbursement by the Centre.
