Dehradun: Rural road connectivity in Uttarakhand has gained significant momentum over the past decade under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY). The state has constructed around 14,372 km of rural roads over the last decade, nearly twice the 7,539 km built from the launch of the scheme until 2016-17.
The expansion of rural roads is aimed at improving connectivity to villages and strengthening access to education, healthcare, employment and other development opportunities.
PMGSY Road Construction Gains Momentum
The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana was launched in 2000-01 to provide better road connectivity to rural habitations.
In Uttarakhand, the pace of construction increased substantially from 2017-18 onwards. According to the available figures:
- Up to 2014-15: 4,525 km of rural roads constructed.
- 2015-16: 1,025 km of roads constructed, crossing the 1,000-km mark for the first time in a financial year.
- 2016-17: 1,989 km of PMGSY roads constructed.
- Up to 2016-17: Total road construction reached 7,539 km.
- 2017-18 onwards: Around 14,372 km of rural roads have been constructed over the subsequent period.
Over 7,400 Km Roads Built in Three Years
The state witnessed particularly strong construction activity during the three financial years from 2019-20 to 2021-22.
During this period, Uttarakhand constructed 7,462 km of rural roads under PMGSY.
The annual figures were:
- 2019-20: 2,036 km
- 2020-21: 3,365 km
- 2021-22: 2,061 km
The road construction drive also continued during the COVID-19 period, when rural infrastructure projects were given importance as part of efforts to generate employment opportunities.
Focus Shifted Towards New Rural Roads
Between 2013 and 2019, greater emphasis was placed on reconstruction and improvement of existing rural roads rather than building new roads. As a result, the overall road length increased at a slower pace during this period.
From 2019 onwards, the focus shifted more strongly towards the construction of new rural roads, leading to a substantial increase in connectivity across the state.
PMGSY Phase IV Targets New Habitations
Under the fourth phase of PMGSY for 2024-29, the focus is on connecting additional and previously unconnected habitations with rural roads.
Uttarakhand has sought approval for more roads under the scheme to expand connectivity across the state’s mountainous and rural areas.
The state government aims to ensure that villages are connected through all-weather roads, which can improve transportation and provide better access to essential services.
Better Connectivity to Support Rural Development
Improved road connectivity is expected to provide wider benefits to rural communities by making travel easier and improving access to markets, healthcare, education and employment opportunities.
Uttarakhand Rural Development Minister Bharat Singh Chaudhary said the state’s objective is to connect all villages with good, all-weather roads. He also stated that the state has requested the Centre for additional roads so that all villages can receive improved connectivity.
The continued expansion of PMGSY roads is therefore expected to play an important role in supporting rural development and improving the overall quality of life in Uttarakhand.
