Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-III

News: The Union Cabinet approved continuation of PMGSY-III beyond March 2025 till March 2028 with revised outlay and extended timelines.

About Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-III

• It is the third phase of rural road development focusing on consolidation and upgradation of existing routes under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).
• Launched In: PMGSY was launched on 25 December 2000 and PMGSY-III was launched in July 2019.
• Nodal Ministry: The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) is the nodal ministry
• Funding Pattern: The funding pattern for the PMGSY-III will be 60:40 between Centre and the States and 90:10 for NE and Himalayan States.
• Aim: PMGSY-III aims to consolidate 1,25,000 km of Through Routes and Major Rural Links to connect habitations with Gramin Agricultural Markets (GrAMs), Higher Secondary Schools, and Hospitals while reducing transportation time and cost.
• Revised Deadline:
  • Plain Areas: Completion of roads and bridges extended till March 2028.
  • Hilly Areas: Completion of roads extended till March 2028 and bridges extended till March 2029.
• Revised Outlay: ₹83,977 crore, increased from ₹80,250 crore.
• Key Features:
  • Pending Works Clearance: Works sanctioned before 31 March 2025 but not yet awarded are now allowed to be taken up for tender and award to ensure completion.
  • Long Span Bridges (LSBs): A total of 161 Long Span Bridges, with an estimated cost of ₹961 crore, are approved for sanction and execution along already sanctioned road alignments.
  • Technology Use: The scheme promotes the use of green technologies such as waste plastic and cold mix technology in rural road construction.