Centre allocates Rs 18,907 crore to build 26,474 km of rural roads in FY27, reviews PMGSY progress and directs states to accelerate pending connectivity projects.
New Delhi, June 18: The Centre has set a target of constructing 26,474 kilometres of rural roads during the 2026-27 financial year and has earmarked Rs 18,907 crore for the purpose under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) and related rural connectivity programmes.
The allocation and implementation targets were reviewed during a high-level meeting chaired by Secretary, Department of Rural Development, Rohit Kansal, according to an official statement issued on Thursday.
The meeting assessed state-wise physical and financial progress under PMGSY and the Road Connectivity Project for Left Wing Extremism Affected Areas (RCPLWEA). Senior officials from Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Rajasthan and Telangana participated in the review.
A key focus of the meeting was improving last-mile connectivity and ensuring that all eligible habitations receive all-weather road access. States were directed to accelerate the completion of pending projects under PMGSY-I and PM-JANMAN, particularly those serving Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) habitations.
Reviewing progress for the current financial year, Kansal asked states to speed up the preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), address implementation bottlenecks and complete pending connectivity works within stipulated timelines.
The review also examined progress under RCPLWEA, which aims to improve road infrastructure in Left Wing Extremism-affected districts. The Secretary stressed the need for close coordination between state governments and implementing agencies to ensure timely completion of sanctioned projects.
Participating states presented their action plans and assured the Ministry that pending works and annual targets would be completed within the prescribed schedule.
The meeting also focused on improving the quality and long-term sustainability of rural road infrastructure. States were asked to strengthen field inspections, enhance monitoring mechanisms and ensure strict adherence to prescribed quality standards during project execution.
Officials also discussed wider adoption of the e-MARG (Electronic Maintenance of Rural Roads under PMGSY) platform. The digital system enables real-time monitoring of maintenance activities, performance assessment and payment tracking, and is expected to improve transparency and accountability in rural road maintenance.
Concluding the meeting, the Secretary issued state-specific directions on resolving implementation challenges, expediting land acquisition and forest clearance processes, ensuring compliance with project milestones and strengthening coordination with the National Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (NRIDA).
States reiterated their commitment to accelerating project execution and extending the benefits of all-weather road connectivity to all eligible habitations.
