**Executive Summary**
On May 1, 2026, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi launched the first phase of PMGSY-IV and several rural development initiatives in Rayagada. The program allocates multi-crore funding for rural roads, housing, and employment to support the "Samruddha Odisha, Viksit Odisha" mission. Key financial releases include Rs. 1,698.04 crore for road connectivity and the first installment of MGNREGA funds for the 2026-27 financial year.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Rural Connectivity (PMGSY-IV)**
* Sanction of 827 new roads spanning 1,701.84 kilometers at a total cost of Rs. 1,698.04 crore.
* Provision of supplementary financial support to complete previously sanctioned but unfinished road projects.
* Strategic focus on connecting remote, hilly, and deprived habitations to mainstream development.
* **Housing and Infrastructure**
* Approval of Rs. 630.61 crore for the completion of pending houses under Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G).
* A policy commitment to ensure every eligible poor family in Odisha transitions from "kutcha" houses to "pucca" houses.
* Integration of projects focusing on bridges, drinking water, and electricity under the state’s growth agenda.
* **Employment and Livelihoods**
* Release of Rs. 868.71 crore as the first installment under MGNREGA for the financial year 2026-27.
* Grant of Rs. 30.07 crore approved under WDC-PMKSY 2.0 for watershed development.
* Promotion of the "Lakhpati Didi" campaign and strengthening of Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
* **Agricultural Development**
* Commitment to increasing farmers' income through the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund, warehouse creation, and enhanced storage capacity.
* Support for scientific farming methods, improved seeds, seed villages, and integrated agriculture including fisheries and animal husbandry.
**Impact Analysis**
**Rural Residents and Remote Habitations**
* **Impact:** Improved socio-economic progress through better access to education, healthcare, and transportation via 1,701 km of new roads.
* **Action Required:** Eligible residents in remote or hilly areas should engage with local authorities to ensure their habitations are included in the connectivity and housing maps.
**Farmers and Labourers**
* **Impact:** Increased income potential through improved agricultural infrastructure and guaranteed wage employment via MGNREGA funding.
* **Action Required:** Farmers should utilize new storage facilities and participate in training for scientific farming; labourers should register for work under the newly released MGNREGA installments.
**Women and Self-Help Groups (SHGs)**
* **Impact:** Economic empowerment and self-reliance through the "Lakhpati Didi" campaign and rural livelihood promotion.
* **Action Required:** Women are encouraged to join SHGs and participate in self-employment training and income-generation activities such as beekeeping and goat rearing.
**Odisha State Government**
* **Impact:** Receipt of formal approvals and significant central financial assistance to accelerate state-wide infrastructure and welfare missions.
* **Action Required:** State departments must execute the sanctioned road projects and ensure the efficient distribution of benefits and assistance to identified beneficiaries.
Key Entities Referenced
Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-IV (PMGSY-IV): A flagship rural road connectivity scheme under which 827 new roads worth ₹1,700 crore were sanctioned to strengthen Odisha's rural network.
MGNREGA: A national rural employment guarantee program for which ₹868.71 crore was released as the first installment for the financial year 2026-27 in Odisha.
Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G): A rural housing scheme for which ₹630.61 crore was approved to complete pending houses and provide pucca houses to eligible families in Odisha.
Samruddha Odisha, Viksit Odisha Mission: The state government’s strategic mission focused on accelerating development in rural infrastructure, water, and livelihoods.
WDC-PMKSY 2.0: The Watershed Development Component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, allocated ₹30.07 crore for irrigation and watershed management in Odisha.
Ministry of Rural Development
Odisha Gets a New Development Push as
Double Engine Government Launches Fresh
Growth Agenda from Rayagada
Shivraj Singh Chouhan Announces 827 New Roads Worth Rs.
1,700 Crore Under PMGSY-IV for Odisha
1,702 km Rural Connectivity Network to Be Strengthened
Across Odisha Under PMGSY-IV
Big Boost to Housing, Employment and Irrigation in Odisha
with Multi-Crore Approvals by Centre
Rs. 630.61 Crore for PMAY-G, Rs. 868.71 Crore for MGNREGA
and Rs. 30.07 Crore for WDC-PMKSY 2.0 Approved for
Odisha
“No Poor Family in Odisha Will Live in a Kutcha House”:
Shivraj Singh Chouhan
PMGSY-IV to Connect Remote, Hilly and Deprived Regions of
Odisha: Mohan Charan Majhi
“Samruddha Odisha, Viksit Odisha” Mission Gains
Momentum with Focus on Roads, Water and Rural
Infrastructure
Shivraj Singh Chouhan Hands Over PMGSY-IV Approval
Letter to CM Mohan Charan Majhi in Rayagada
Development Projects Launched and Assistance Distributed
to Beneficiaries in Rayagada CeremonyLabour Day Event in Rayagada Highlights Rural
Development, Women Empowerment and Farmers’ Welfare
Agenda
Posted On: 01 MAY 2026 4:19PM by PIB Delhi
In a major boost to rural infrastructure and inclusive development in Odisha, the launch ceremony of
PMGSY-IV held in Rayagada on Friday emerged as a landmark occasion in the state’s rural development
journey. Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh
Chouhan, along with Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, unveiled and announced a series of
transformative initiatives aimed at strengthening rural connectivity, housing, irrigation, livelihoods,
drinking water facilities, women empowerment and farmers’ prosperity across the state. During the
programme, the Union Minister formally handed over the approval letter for PMGSY-IV to the Chief
Minister on the dais. Several development projects were inaugurated and foundation stones laid, while
assistance and benefits were distributed to beneficiaries under various schemes.
Addressing the people at Barijhola in Rayagada, Shri Chouhan lauded Odisha, especially Rayagada for its
rich cultural heritage, natural beauty and hardworking people. He said that under the leadership of Prime
Minister Narendra Modi and the guidance of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, the double-engine
government is working with full commitment for the holistic development of Odisha. The Union Minister
stated that he had not come empty-handed, but had brought concrete development initiatives that would
directly benefit villages, the poor, farmers, labourers, women and youth across the state. Emphasising the
importance of rural connectivity, he said roads are not merely means of transportation, but lifelines for
employment, education, healthcare and overall socio-economic progress.Under the first phase of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-IV (PMGSY-IV), Odisha has been sanctioned
827 new roads spanning 1,701.84 kilometres at a total cost of Rs. 1,698.04 crore. In addition,
supplementary financial support is being provided for completion of previously sanctioned but unfinished
road projects to ensure that even the remotest regions are connected to the mainstream of development.
Highlighting the government’s commitment towards housing and livelihoods, Shri Chouhan said that no
poor family in Odisha would be left living in a kutcha house and every eligible beneficiary would be
provided a pucca house. He informed that Rs. 630.61 crore has been approved for completion of pending
houses under Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin.
On the occasion of Labour Day, the Union Minister also announced the release of Rs. 868.71 crore as the
first instalment under MGNREGA for the financial year 2026-27. Additionally, approval worth Rs. 30.07
crore was granted under WDC-PMKSY 2.0. Shri Chouhan reiterated that women, farmers and youth
remain at the centre of the government’s development agenda. He said empowering women throughdignity, self-reliance and economic opportunities is a key commitment of the government. He highlighted
initiatives such as the Lakhpati Didi campaign, strengthening of Self-Help Groups, rural livelihood
promotion, self-employment training, scientific farming methods, integrated agriculture, animal
husbandry, fisheries, goat rearing, beekeeping and plantation-based income generation activities. He
further noted that initiatives such as progressive farming practices, improved seeds, seed villages,
enhanced storage capacity and warehouse creation under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund would
significantly contribute to increasing farmers’ incomes in Odisha.
Welcoming the Union Minister, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said the scale of development
initiatives announced for Odisha reflects the Central Government’s special commitment and affection
towards the state. He recalled that the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana was envisioned by former
Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister
Shivraj Singh Chouhan are now carrying forward that vision by transforming the rural landscape of India.
Describing PMGSY-IV as a transformative initiative, the Chief Minister said the scheme would play a
crucial role in connecting difficult, hilly, remote and previously unconnected habitations across Odisha.
Shri Majhi stated that the Odisha Government is working in mission mode with the resolve of 'Samruddha
Odisha, Viksit Odisha', focusing on roads, bridges, drinking water, electricity, rural infrastructure,
enhancement of farmers’ income, women empowerment and youth employment. He added that
infrastructure projects being undertaken in districts including Rayagada would bring transformative
changes to rural life across the state.During the program, Union Minister and Chief Minister also honoured the beneficiaries under various
schemes. Odisha Minister for Rural Development & Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Rabi Narayan
Naik also addressed the program. The event witnessed the presence of public representatives, dignitaries
and a large number of local residents, including women beneficiaries.
***
RC/PU
(Release ID: 2257288) Visitor Counter : 233
Read this release in: Urdu , ही , Gujarati , Odia