GANGTOK: Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) has been playing a catalyst’s role in uplifting rural India by improving connectivity to remote and underserved villages. In Sikkim, the PMGSY over the years has connected our remote villages, many of whom are sparsely populated and located in challenging terrains.
As rural settlements in our State increase, there is further need of PMGSY expansion in Sikkim to boost inter-village connectivity, enhancing accessibility and economic opportunities for our rural populace, said Lok Sabha MP Indra Hang Subba.
In this context, Indra Hang submitted questions to Ministry of Rural Development regarding the status of PMGSY roads in Sikkim.
Replying to his questions in the Lok Sabha on February 11, the Rural Development Ministry informed the Parliament that in Sikkim State, a total of 5,220 km of road length has been sanctioned under various verticals/intervention out of which 4,730 km length has already been constructed.
The survey work is presently undergoing to identify the eligible unconnected habitation as per population norms and PMGSY- IV will be implemented from 2024–2025 to 2028–2029, said Rural Development Minister of State Kamlesh Paswan in his written reply to the Sikkim Lok Sabha MP.
PMGSY-IV was launched in 2024 for construction of 62,500 km of all-weather roads (single lane) to provide connectivity to about 25,000 unconnected habitations across rural India including North East and Hill States.
Indra Hang asserted that the PMGSY has played a crucial role in empowerment of rural Sikkim by providing road connectivity. With improved roads, villagers can access healthcare, education, markets, and government services more easily, reducing isolation, he says.
His home village in remote Hee Gaon in West Sikkim was also connected to the State’s mainstream through a PMGSY road.
By improving infrastructure, PMGSY has played a key role in empowering rural communities and promoting inclusive development across India as envisioned by Late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, said Indra Hang.
- SA Report
