The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), i.e., Prime Minister Rural Roads Scheme, was launched in the year 2000 to provide all-weather road connectivity to unconnected habitations of populations of 500 and above in the plains and 250 and above in hilly regions and other difficult areas. In 2013, the Government widened the ambit of the programme and launched PMGSY-II to upgrade 50,000 km of the existing rural road network. In the year 2019, another intervention PMGSY-III was launched for the consolidation of 1,25,000 km through Routes and Major Rural Links connecting habitations to important social & economic infrastructure. Additionally, 10,000 km road length has been sanctioned for inaccessible and backwards areas for their socio-economic development.
A total of 782,850 km road length has been sanctioned under the scheme since its inception with an outlay of Rs. 3,44,500 crore ($45 billion). A total of 161,561 unconnected habitations have so far been provided all-weather road connectivity under PMGSY.
The scheme has been a pioneer in use of new and green technology in construction of rural roads. Technology Vision 2013 for PMGSY mandated construction of minimum 15% road length using new technology and locally available materials. The objective was to achieve economy and speed in construction of roads, reduce carbon emission and environment degradation, and provide sustainable roads with reduced maintenance cost. More than 100,000 km road length has been approved for construction using new and green technologies, against which more than 66,000 Km has already been completed. Major technologies being used are waste plastics, cold mix, stabilization using chemical or commercial stabilizers, cell-filled concrete, paneled cement concrete, etc. Recently, full depth recycling is being adopted in a major way to achieve cost economy and reduction in carbon footprint.
PMGSY has focused on innovations in management of rural roads. A systematic approach is being adopted for prioritization of roads for construction as well as maintenance. Use of mobile application for quality related inspections and for registration of public grievances, e-marg for maintenance monitoring, web based overall monitoring are some of the innovative practices adopted in PMGSY. Need based research projects are assigned to premier technical institutions.
With an objective to deliberate on ways to strengthen and adopt more such emerging technologies, new materials, and adoption of established technologies, though beneficial but yet not prevalent in the Indian context, an International Conference on 'New Technologies and Innovations in Rural Roads' along with technical exhibition is being organized from 24 to 26 May, 2022 at New Delhi, India. The conference will provide insight for innovations and use of new technologies, new materials and maintenance management of low volume roads.
Conference Themes
- Resilient & Sustainable Rural Roads Infrastructure - Lowering the Carbon Footprint
- Transforming Rural Economy through Access – Enhancing Integration & Inclusivity
- Management and Maintenance of Rural Roads – Effective Governance Framework