Boost To Rural Connectivity: PM Modi-Led CCEA Approves Third Phase of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana

In infrastructure boost for the rural areas, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) headed by the Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on Wednesday (10 July) approved the third phase of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY-III), reports Financial Express.

The PMGSY-III will build 1,25,000 km of roads across the various States and Union territories of the nation. The scheme aims to give a major boost to connectivity and development in unconnected villages and its habitation routes.

The scheme is envisaged to cost as much as Rs 80,250 crore with the centre's share totaling to Rs 53,800 crore, and the state's share totaling to Rs 26,450 crore. The funds for the same would be shared in a ratio of 60:40 between the centre and the states, except for the eight northeastern states and the three Himalayan states, namely, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, for which the ratio has been set at 90:10.

It should also be noted that the construction of bridges in this scheme have been proposed up to 150 metre across the plain areas and 200 metre in the Himalayan and Northeastern States, compared to the existing provisions of 75 metre and 100 metre in plain areas and Northeastern, Himalayan states respectively.