PMGSY Rural Roads: 7.83 Lakh Km Constructed, Phase-IV to Add 62,500 Km by 2029

The Government of India’s flagship Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), launched in December 2000, continues to transform rural connectivity by providing all-weather roads to unconnected habitations. Since inception till August 13, 2025, over 8.38 lakh km of roads have been sanctioned under the scheme, of which 7.83 lakh km have been constructed, significantly improving access to schools, hospitals, markets, and transport hubs in rural India.

The program has expanded through multiple phases. PMGSY-II (2013) upgraded existing rural roads, while the Road Connectivity Project for Left Wing Extremism Affected Areas (RCPLWEA) (2016) improved access in 44 worst-affected districts across nine states. PMGSY-III (2019) aimed to upgrade 1.25 lakh km of major rural routes, connecting over 6.96 lakh facilities, including agricultural markets, education centers, and medical institutions.

On September 11, 2024, the Union Cabinet approved PMGSY-IV, targeting the construction of 62,500 km of new roads by 2029 at a cost of ₹70,125 crore. This phase will connect 25,000 newly eligible habitations that have grown in population.

Evaluations by NITI Aayog’s DMEO highlight that PMGSY has boosted rural livelihoods by improving access to markets, healthcare, and education, while aligning with India’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2 and 9. The scheme has played a vital role in poverty reduction and socio-economic transformation in rural areas.