Himachal Pradesh News
Government sanctions 10,000 km of rural roads in J&K, Himachal, Chhattisgarh and other states under PMGSY-IV
The Centre on Thursday sanctioned over 10,000 km of rural road projects across Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Sikkim under the fourth phase of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY-IV), aimed at improving connectivity in remote and underserved areas.
The Centre on Thursday sanctioned over 10,000 km of rural road projects across Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Sikkim under the fourth phase of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY-IV), aimed at improving connectivity in remote and underserved areas.
According to an official statement, the scheme will provide all-weather road connectivity to around 25,000 unconnected habitations in the North East, hill states and Union Territories, special category areas such as tribal belts, aspirational districts and blocks, desert regions, and Left Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected districts, as per Census data.
Under PMGSY-IV, a total of 62,500 km of all-weather roads will be constructed, along with necessary bridges along the routes to ensure seamless access.
₹70,125 crore outlay
The total financial outlay of the scheme is ₹70,125 crore, and the projects are scheduled to be completed between FY 2024-25 and FY 2028-29.
With the newly sanctioned roads, around 3,270 previously isolated habitations are expected to gain access to essential services, including healthcare, education and markets.
Officials said improved connectivity would significantly boost socio-economic development in hilly, tribal and remote regions where difficult terrain has long hampered growth.
Boost for Himachal and other hill areas
In Himachal Pradesh, several interior areas continue to face connectivity challenges, including Chopal in Shimla district and regions such as Tissa, Seraj and Rampur.
The government said the new road projects would help bridge these gaps and enhance access for residents in far-flung villages.
Recently, the Union Ministry of Rural Development also approved 774 new rural road projects in Chhattisgarh, covering 2,426.87 km, aimed at connecting unserved habitations with all-weather roads.
The Centre said the initiative would help strengthen rural infrastructure and lay the foundation for faster and more inclusive development across the country.
