Completion of balance road and bridge projects in Meghalaya and other North East states under the first and second phase of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) will continue till September 2022.
The decision was taken by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs which gave its approval to the proposals of the Department of Rural Development, Ministry of Rural Development.
Majority of pending works under PMGSY-I and II are in the North East due to factors such as Covid lockdown, extended rains, winters, forest issues.
The states have been requesting the Central government for extension of time to complete these crucial road projects. The Centre said it decided to grant extension of time till September 2022 to help these states to complete the balance works.
The Meghalaya government has planned to complete 1,800 km of road connectivity in the State by March 2022 under the PMGSY.
The overall target for road construction by March 2022 has been set to 1,800 km, of which the State targets 90-95 per cent work completion.
Last year under the PMGSY scheme, the State completed over 750 km road construction out of 800 km.
The Government of India started PMGSY-I in 2000 to provide connectivity to unconnected habitations of population size of 500 plus in plain areas and 250 plus in North East and Himalayan states as per census, 2001.
PMGSY-II, which was approved by the Cabinet in May 2013, envisaged consolidation of 50,000 Km of existing rural road network.
The PMGSY promotes use of new and green technology in construction of rural roads. Locally available materials are used in road construction in order to promote cost-effective and fast construction.
The PMGSY envisages a three tier Quality Assurance Mechanism to ensure quality of road works during construction and post-construction.
The number of quality monitors both at central and state levels as also the intensity of the inspections have been increased for better quality management. The proportion of satisfactory works has witnessed an increasing trend in recent years.
