Maharashtra gets Rs 489 crores under PMGSY to improve rural roads ; More to come

Mumbai / December 28 2013

 

Maharashtra gets Rs 489 crores under PMGSY to improve rural roads ; More to come

The Centre has sanctioned Rs 488.59 crores to Maharashtra for improving rural road network under the Prime Minister’s Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) –II.  An Empowered Committee meeting held in New Delhi on Friday, approved  Maharashtra’s proposal for building 829 kms length of rural roads during the year.  Out of this, Solapur (126 kms), Pune (88 kms), Latur (71 kms) and Osmanabad (53.35 kms) are the largest beneficiary districts.  (District wise summary Annex -1).

In a letter written to Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh has conveyed that Batch II of Maharashtra’s proposal under PMGSY II, for 227 roads having a road length of 1,550 kms will be taken up during the next Empowered Committee Meeting to be held on January 7, 2014.

Initially, Maharashtra received little Central assistance under the PMGSY as compared to other states, under the plea that state road connectivity was much satisfactory. However, Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan continued to pursue the need for central funding for rural roads with the Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh.  The Rural Development Ministry introduced PMGSY II to benefit states like Maharashtra to improve upon their already existing rural road connectivity. Maharashtra expects to construct / upgrade a total 2600 kms of rural roads under this project.  

While Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana is 100% centrally funded programme, PMGSY II is on cost sharing basis between the Centre and states at 75% : 25%.  For special category states, the central funding is to the tune of 90% .