Mumbai, Nov. 5 -- The Centre has approved 45 rural road projects covering 509.54 km in Mizoram at an estimated cost of Rs. 7.1 bn under the first batch of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-IV (PMGSY-IV) for FY27. The projects will provide all-weather road connectivity to 48 habitations in the state for the first time.
The Ministry of Rural Development said the new links would improve access to schools, healthcare facilities and rural markets. The projects are also intended to support social and economic development in rural areas and contribute to the government's Viksit Bharat objective.
PMGSY-IV is the fourth phase of the rural road programme and aims to extend all-weather connectivity to previously unconnected habitations across India. The Union Cabinet approved the scheme in September 2024 for implementation from FY25 to FY29.
The national programme targets 25,000 eligible unconnected habitations through the construction of 62,500 km of roads and required bridges. Its eligibility framework covers habitations with a population of at least 500 in plain areas and 250 in North-Eastern and hill states, special category areas and other designated regions, based on Census 2011 data.
With the latest approval, Mizoram's cumulative PMGSY portfolio has reached 367 sanctioned road works covering 4,935 km. The state has also received approval for seven bridges, taking the cumulative sanctioned cost of its road and bridge works to Rs. 34.12 bn. The latest projects add to the existing portfolio and are expected to improve movement of people and access to public services and local markets.
PMGSY-IV has a total outlay of Rs. 701.25 bn, including a central share of Rs. 490.88 bn and state contributions of Rs. 210.38 bn. The programme also promotes technology and alternative materials, including cold mix technology, waste plastic, fly ash and steel slag, for rural road construction.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.