Data reveal slow progress of PMGSY in north-eastern states

Only 192 rural habitations have so far been connected in the current financial year (2017-18) against the target of connecting 1035 unconnected habitations in eight states of Northeast India- Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim- under the Prime Minister Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), India’s flagship programme of rural road connectivity for the year.

Only two habitations have been in Arunachal Pradesh against the target of 50 habitations for the current year even though 591.575 km of road against the targeted length of 1200 km have been completed. Not a single habitation has been connected so far in Mizoram, Nagaland and Sikkim in the current financial year while 42.5 km ( target 50 km) in Nagaland, 28.525 km ( Target 500 km) in Mizoram and 113.185 ( target 400 km) have been constructed.

Official data show that against the targeted construction of 6250 km length of rural road during current fiscal only 1035 km length of roads have been constructed in these eight states so far under this flagship programme.

In 2016-17, altogether 385 habitations were connected against the target of 710 habitations. However, data displayed on the website of the National Rural Roads Development Agency show that number of connected habitations surpassed the number of targeted habitations in 2015-16 and 2014-15. In 2015-16, altogether 589 habitations were connected against the target of 485 habitations and in 2014-15, a whooping 829 habitations were connected against the target of 328 habitations.

PMGSY IN NORTH EAST DURING 2017-18 (TILL SEPTEMBER 18)

PMGSY IN NORTH EAST DURING 2016-17

PMGSY IN NORTH EAST DURING 2015-16

PMGSY IN NORTH EAST DURING 2014-15

The primary objective of the PMGSY is to provide Connectivity, by way of an All-weather Road to the unconnected habitations in the rural areas with a population of 500 persons and above in Plain areas and unconnected habitations with a population of 250 persons and above in the hill states.

The PMGSY Guideline states that “In the case of Hill States, the estimates for new construction works may be prepared in two parts wherever circumstances so require. As such:

(a) The first stage will consist of formation cutting, slope stabilization, protection works and drainage works. If black topping at the second stage is intended, it may be taken up after two rainy seasons have elapsed to ensure adequate stabilization of the side slopes. The second stage will include the WBM layers and bituminous surface course. The habitations concerned will not be counted as ‘connected’ till the second stage is taken up.

(b) Where State Government agrees as a policy that ‘unsealed’ surfaces are adequate in certain conditions like low traffic, the formation cutting, slope stabilization and protection works, complete drainage works and appropriate surface course treatment (to ensure all -weather connectivity) will all be included in the first stage and work executed. In such cases, the habitations will be counted as ‘connected’ on completion of the first stage itself, as there will be no second stage.