Executive Summary:
This document outlines the Indian government's initiatives under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) to improve connectivity in tribal habitations, specifically addressing concerns in the Wayanad Lok Sabha Constituency. PMGSY aims to provide all-weather road connectivity to unconnected habitations. The PMGSY Phase-IV will be implemented from 2024-2025 to 2028-2029. As of August 8, 2025, no recommendations from the Kerala government have been received for sanction under PMGSY-IV.
Key Points / Main Content:
PMGSY Overview:
* PMGSY was launched in 2000 to connect eligible unconnected habitations.
* PMGSY-II focused on consolidating the rural roads network.
* PMGSY-III aimed to improve connectivity to schools, agricultural markets, and hospitals.
PMGSY-IV Details:
* PMGSY-IV aims to construct 62,500 km of all-weather, single-lane roads.
* It targets connecting approximately 25,000 habitations with a population of 500 in plains, 250 in NE Hill states/UTs, special category areas, aspirational districts/blocks, desert areas and 100 in LWE affected districts (based on Census 2011).
* Survey work to identify eligible unconnected habitations has been completed.
Wayanad Constituency:
* 54 roads (203 km) have been constructed under various PMGSY verticals in Wayanad district as of August 8, 2025.
* Parliament Constituency-wise details are not maintained by the Ministry.
* Several tribal habitations in Wayanad have been tentatively identified as unconnected during the PMGSY-IV survey.
PMJANMAN Initiative:
* A Pre-Empowerment Committee meeting was held on April 24, 2025, to discuss 3 road proposals (3.48 km) to connect 3 habitations (2 in Wayanad, 1 in Palakkad).
Proposal Approval Process:
* Proposals for new connectivity must be approved by the District Panchayat, considering suggestions from Members of Parliament.
* The State-Level Standing Committee (SLSC) recommends habitations for sanction to the Central Government based on a Comprehensive New Connectivity Priority List.
* As of August 8, 2025, no recommendations from the Kerala government have been received for sanction under PMGSY-IV.
Population Criterion:
* There is currently no proposal to relax the population criterion for aspirational districts under PMGSY-IV.
Impact Analysis:
State Government of Kerala:
* Impact: Responsible for submitting proposals for road connectivity projects under PMGSY-IV for consideration and sanction by the Central Government.
* Action Required: Expedite the preparation and submission of proposals for new connectivity projects in Wayanad and other districts, ensuring they align with PMGSY-IV guidelines.
District Panchayat:
* Impact: Responsible for approving proposals for new road connectivity to unconnected habitations.
* Action Required: Review and approve proposals, considering suggestions from Members of Parliament and adhering to program guidelines.
Members of Parliament:
* Impact: Their suggestions are to be considered during the approval process of road connectivity proposals.
* Action Required: Provide suggestions and feedback to the District Panchayat regarding connectivity needs in their constituencies.
Ministry of Rural Development:
* Impact: Oversees the implementation of the PMGSY scheme and provides sanctions for road connectivity projects.
* Action Required: Work in close coordination with the States to facilitate submission of proposals.
Tribal Habitations in Wayanad and Palakkad:
* Impact: Improved road connectivity will enhance access to essential services, markets, and opportunities.
* Action Required: No immediate action required, but should engage with local authorities and representatives to voice their connectivity needs and priorities.
Key Entities Referenced
Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana: A rural roads connectivity program in India.
Wayanad Lok Sabha Constituency: A parliamentary constituency in Kerala, India, relevant to the connectivity initiatives discussed.
Ministry of Rural Development: The Indian government ministry responsible for rural development programs.
Kerala: A state in India, where Wayanad and Palakkad districts are located.
Palakkad District of Kerala: A district in Kerala, India, mentioned in the context of road proposals under PMJANMAN.
PMJANMAN: A program under which Pre Empowerment Committee discussed road proposals for unconnected habitations.
Aspirational Districts: Districts identified by the Government of India for focused development efforts.
Left Wing Extremism LWE affected districts: Districts affected by Left Wing Extremism, considered under PMGSY for road connectivity based on population criteria.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3830
ANSWERED ON 12/08/2025
CONNECTIVITY IN TRIBAL HABITATIONS OF WAYNAD
3830. Smt. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra:
Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:
(a) the details of initiatives taken to improve connectivity to tribal
habitations in Wayanad Lok Sabha Constituency;
(b) the details of unconnected tribal habitations in Wayanad Lok
Sabha constituency proposed to be covered under Pradhan
Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-IV (PMGSY-IV).
(c) whether the Government proposes to relax the population
criteria for aspirational districts to ensure 100% connectivity to
all tribal habitations; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI KAMLESH PASWAN)
(a) & (b): The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) was
launched in 2000, as a one time special dispensation, for providing
connectivity to eligible unconnected habitations in the country.
Subsequently PMGSY II was launched for consolidation of rural roads
network and PMGSY III for providing improved connectivity to
schools, Gramin Agriculture Markets and hospitals.
A total of 54 roads of length 203 Km have been constructed
under various verticals of PMGSY in Wayanad District, as on 8-8-2025.
Parliament Constituency wise details are not maintained by the
Ministry.
PMGSY-IV has been launched for construction of 62,500 km of
all-weather roads (single lane) to provide connectivity to about
25,000 unconnected habitations of population size 500+ in plains,
250+ in NE & Hill states/ UTs, special category areas (Tribal Schedule
Page 1 of 2V, Aspirational Districts/ Blocks, Desert areas) and 100+ in Left Wing
Extremism (LWE) affected districts, as per Census 2011. The survey
work to identify the eligible unconnected habitation as per population
eligibility norms has been completed. The PMGSY Phase-IV will be
implemented from 2024–2025 to 2028–2029. The Central Government
is working in close coordination with the States to facilitate
submission of proposals, including from Kerala, under PMGSY IV.
Under the PM-JANMAN, meeting of Pre - Empowerment
Committee has already been conducted on 24th April, 2025 for
discussing 3 Road Proposals of Length 3.48 Km for providing all
weather road connectivity to 3 unconnected habitations of which 2
are from Waynad District and 1 is from Palakkad District of Kerala.
The State has informed that a number of tribal habitations have
been tentatively identified in Wayanad District as unconnected during
the PMGSY-IV survey. As per the PMGSY IV guidelines, the proposals
for new connectivity to unconnected habitations are to be approved
by the district Panchayat, keeping in view interalia the suggestions
received from Hon'ble Members of Parliament and considering the
programme guidelines. The proposals, as per the approved
Comprehensive New Connectivity Priority List are placed them before
the State-level Standing Committee (SLSC) which recommends the
habitations for consideration for sanction to the Central Government.
As on 8-8-2025 no recommendations of the State Government of
Kerala have been received for according sanction under PMGSY IV.
(c) & (d): There is no proposal at present to relax the population
criterion at present for aspirational districts under PMGSY IV.
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