**Executive Summary**
This document is a response to questions raised in the Lok Sabha regarding the maintenance and sustainability of roads constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY). It outlines the measures taken by the Ministry of Rural Development, including guidelines for state governments, the utilization of the eMARG portal, and quality control mechanisms. Data as of January 28, 2026, regarding maintenance liability and expenditure, as well as roads requiring urgent maintenance, is provided.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Maintenance Responsibility:**
* Maintenance of PMGSY roads is the responsibility of State Governments.
* All road works are covered by initial five-year maintenance contracts with the same contractor.
* State Governments must budget maintenance funds and allocate them to State Rural Roads Development Agencies (SRRDAs).
* After the initial 5-year maintenance, roads are placed under Zonal maintenance contracts.
* State governments are to provide necessary funds in SRRDA for zonal maintenance contracts.
* **Road Standards and Defect Liability:**
* Roads are designed and executed according to Indian Roads Congress (IRC) standards.
* Roads are subject to a five-year Defect Liability Period (DLP) at no additional cost for defect rectification.
* Provision is made for paid maintenance for five years.
* Deterioration may occur due to specific factors like heavy rainfall, flooding, vehicle overloading, and inadequate drainage maintenance, not systemic deficiencies.
* States are urged to enforce maintenance, reporting and drainage, and use digital monitoring tools.
* **eMARG Portal:**
* The Ministry has operationalized the eMARG portal for transparent maintenance planning, monitoring, and execution.
* States/UTs are increasingly using eMARG for online planning, approval, and fund tracking.
* The system supports geo-tagging, time-stamped photos, and road-wise reporting.
* As of 28.01.2026, the expenditure reported under DLP is ₹667 crore against the total maintenance liability of ₹1,696 crore for 2025-26.
* Under post-DLP, an expenditure of ₹527 crore has been incurred on renewal of roads under PMGSY.
* **Post-DLP Maintenance:**
* States/UTs must allocate adequate funds for routine and periodic maintenance post-DLP.
* The eMARG platform monitors road conditions, identifies defects, and prioritizes work.
* Contractors do not receive payment if a road scores below 80% in Performance Evaluation (PE).
* The number of roads with less than 80% marks in PE during 2025-26, requiring urgent attention, is listed in Annexure-III.
* **Sustainability Measures:**
* The Ministry has implemented institutional, technical, and monitoring measures for long-term sustainability.
* Oversight is strengthened by the eMARG portal and its integration with OMMAS.
* A three-tier quality management system identifies deficiencies and ensures rectification.
* States are advised to ensure timely release of funds, proper drainage upkeep, and prompt defect reporting.
* The Ministry promotes climate-resilient designs, improved drainage, appropriate technologies, and prioritisation of renewal works.
* Policy initiatives, such as PMGSY-III and PMGSY-IV, aim to safeguard long-term serviceability.
**Impact Analysis**
**State Governments**
* **Impact:** Responsible for the maintenance of PMGSY roads, including budgeting and fund allocation. Subject to monitoring and quality control measures.
* **Action Required:** Ensure strict enforcement of maintenance provisions, prompt defect reporting, adequate drainage upkeep, and utilisation of the eMARG portal for transparent planning, monitoring, and execution of maintenance.
**Contractors**
* **Impact:** Responsible for maintaining roads during the initial five-year DLP. Payments are contingent on performance evaluation scores.
* **Action Required:** Conduct thorough maintenance during the DLP and address any defects promptly to achieve a Performance Evaluation score of at least 80%.
**Ministry of Rural Development**
* **Impact:** Overseeing the PMGSY program and ensuring the long-term sustainability of rural roads.
* **Action Required:** Continue implementing institutional, technical, and monitoring measures, leveraging digital monitoring tools, and promoting climate-resilient designs. Review State performance and identify/rectify systemic issues.
**Rural Communities**
* **Impact:** Directly benefit from well-maintained and sustainable rural road networks.
* **Action Required:** Report any defects or issues related to road maintenance to the appropriate authorities.
**State Rural Roads Development Agencies (SRRDAs)**
* **Impact:** Receive and manage maintenance funds allocated by State Governments.
* **Action Required:** Ensure proper allocation and utilization of funds for timely maintenance and repair of PMGSY roads.
Key Entities Referenced
Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY): A rural road construction and maintenance scheme in India.
Ministry of Rural Development: The Indian ministry responsible for rural development programs, including PMGSY.
eMARG portal: Electronic portal for monitoring maintenance fund releases and renewal works under PMGSY.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 462
ANSWERED ON 03/02/2026
EMARG PORTAL UNDER PMGSY
462. Adv. Chandra Shekhar:
Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:
(a) the reasons for reported deterioration in a portion of completed
Pradhan Mantri Gram SadakYojana (PMGSY) roads, despite the
provision for five years defect liability and paid maintenance by
contractors;
(b) the progress made in utilizing the eMARG portal for monitoring
maintenance fund releases and renewal works during 2025-26;
(c) the details of roads requiring urgent attention and their impact
on rural communities, State-wise; and
(d) the measures, including enhanced oversight or policy
adjustments, that the Ministry is considering to ensure long-
term sustainability and proper upkeep of the completed rural
road network?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI KAMLESH PASWAN)
(a) & (b): As per the guidelines of Pradhan Mantri Gram
SadakYojana (PMGSY) maintenance of roads constructed under the
programme is the responsibility of the State Governments and all
road works are covered by initial five year maintenance contracts to
be entered into along with the construction contract, with the same
contractor, as per the Standard Bidding Document. Maintenance
funds to service the contract are required to be budgeted by the
State Governments and placed at the disposal of the State Rural
Roads Development Agencies (SRRDAs) in a separate maintenance
account. On expiry of the 5 year post construction maintenance,
PMGSY roads are required to be placed under Zonal maintenance
contracts consisting of 5 year maintenance including renewal as
per cycle, from time to time. The State Governments are required to
Page 1 of 7make the necessary budget provision and place the funds in SRRDA
for such Zonal maintenance contracts.
The roads constructed under PMGSY are designed and
executed in accordance with Indian Roads Congress (IRC)
standards and are subject to a five-year Defect Liability Period
(DLP), during which the concerned contractor is responsible for
rectification of defects at no additional cost. In addition, provision
is made for paid maintenance for five years to ensure the
serviceability of the road. Instances of deterioration reported in
some completed PMGSY roads are localized and attributable to
specific factors, such as unprecedented heavy rainfall, flooding,
overloading by vehicles beyond the design capacity, damage due to
utility cuts and encroachments, inadequate drainage maintenance
and traffic growth exceeding initial projections, particularly in
rapidly developing rural areas. In certain cases, delays in timely
reporting of defects, constraints in local maintenance
arrangements, or execution of works by third agencies without
proper restoration have also contributed to premature distress.
Such instances do not reflect systemic deficiencies in the
programme.
Further, States are advised to ensure strict enforcement of
maintenance provisions, prompt defect reporting, and adequate
drainage upkeep, while leveraging digital monitoring tools to
enhance accountability and durability of rural road assets.
The Ministry of Rural Development has operationalised the
electronic Maintenance of Rural Roads (eMARG) portal under the
Pradhan Mantri Gram SadakYojana (PMGSY) to enable transparent
planning, monitoring and execution of maintenance and renewal
works of rural roads.During 2025–26, States and Union Territories
have been increasingly utilising the eMARG portal for online
planning, approval and monitoring of routine maintenance and
periodic renewal works, along with tracking of associated fund
flows for PMGSY roads, including those beyond the initial five-year
Defect Liability Period (DLP). The system supports geo-tagging,
time-stamped photographic evidence and road-wise reporting,
thereby enhancing transparency and accountability. As on
28.01.2026, against a total maintenance liability of ₹1,696 crore for
2025-26, an expenditure of ₹667 crore has been reported by the
States/UTs under DLP. The State-wise details of liability and
expenditure are given at Annexure-I. Under the post-DLP, an
expenditure of ₹527 crore has been incurred on renewal of roads
Page 2 of 7under PMGSY. The State-wise details of expenditure incurred are
given at Annexure-II.
(c): On completion of the Defect Liability Period (DLP), States/UTs
are required to earmark adequate funds for routine and periodic
maintenance of these roads as per PMGSY guidelines. The condition
of PMGSY roads is regularly monitored through eMARG platform
which captures maintenance requirements, defects and
prioritization of works, including roads requiring urgent attention.
eMARG has arrangements that if the road after inspection get less
than 80% marks in Performance Evaluation (PE), the contractor
does not get any payments for that bill. The State/UT-wise number
of roads which has got less than 80% marks in PE during financial
year 2025-26 (as on 28.01.2026) requiring urgent maintenance
attention are given at Annexure-III.
(d): The Ministry of Rural Development has put in place a series of
institutional, technical and monitoring measures to ensure the long-
term sustainability and proper upkeep of the rural road network
created under PMGSY. This includes maintenance of PMGSY roads
through a five-year DLP with paid maintenance by contractors,
followed by post-DLP maintenance by State Governments. To
strengthen oversight, the Ministry has operationalised the
electronic Maintenance of Rural Roads (eMARG) portal, which
enables road-wise planning, monitoring and reporting of
maintenance and renewal works, along with tracking of
maintenance fund flows. Integration of eMARG with OMMAS
facilitates data-driven monitoring and improved financial
reconciliation.
A three-tier quality management system, comprising in-house
checks, State Quality Monitors and National Quality Monitors
(NQMs), continually identify deficiencies and ensure timely
rectification. States are regularly reviewed and advised to ensure
timely release and utilisation of adequate maintenance funds,
proper upkeep of drainage, and prompt reporting of defects.
The Ministry is also encouraging adoption of climate-resilient
designs, improved drainage standards, use of appropriate
technologies and materials, and prioritisation of renewal of aged
and heavily trafficked rural roads. Further, policy initiatives such as
consolidation of rural road networks under PMGSY-III and the
conceptualisation of PMGSY-IV, which focuses on renewal and
sustainability of existing rural roads, are aimed at safeguarding the
long-term serviceability of the assets.
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Page 4 of 7Annexure-I
Annexure referred to in reply to parts (a) & (b) of
LokSabha Unstarred Question No. 462 for answer on 03.02.2026
State-wise details of maintenance liability and expenditure incurred
on the maintenance of roads during Financial Year 2025-26 (as on
28.01.2026):
Maintenance Liability Expenditure
Sl. No. State/UT
(Rs. in crores) (Rs. in crores)
Andaman and Nicobar
1 Islands 1.01 0.02
2 Andhra Pradesh 19.55 8.67
3 Arunachal Pradesh 80.72 4.76
4 Assam 132.36 66.75
5 Bihar 128.52 59.05
6 Chhattisgarh 94.56 36.88
7 Gujarat 16.93 4.75
8 Haryana 19.60 8.31
9 Himachal Pradesh 65.85 14.20
10 Jammu and Kashmir 93.07 27.59
11 Jharkhand 124.15 10.40
12 Karnataka 64.36 18.89
13 Kerala 5.67 2.64
14 Ladakh 7.97 2.62
15 Madhya Pradesh 108.39 72.22
16 Maharashtra 26.12 8.88
17 Manipur 16.73 4.21
18 Meghalaya 40.48 19.06
19 Mizoram 4.53 2.09
20 Nagaland 7.48 1.99
21 Odisha 130.66 43.84
22 Puducherry 0.00 0.00
23 Punjab 12.99 7.04
24 Rajasthan 48.74 17.17
25 Sikkim 7.34 0.87
26 Tamil Nadu 44.05 29.40
27 Telangana 9.89 3.38
28 Tripura 13.97 2.89
29 Uttar Pradesh 224.60 117.60
30 Uttarakhand 52.05 24.14
31 West Bengal 93.79 46.58
Total 1696.13 666.91
Page 5 of 7Annexure-II
Annexure referred to in reply to parts (a) & (b) of
LokSabha Unstarred Question No. 462 for answer on 03.02.2026
State-wise details of expenditure incurred during Financial Year
2025-26 (as on 28.01.2026) on PMGSY roads during post Defect
Liability Period (DLP)
Total Expenditure (Rs. in crore)
Sl. No. State
(Through Post DLP on Renewal)
1 Arunachal Pradesh 4.46
2 Assam 51.11
3 Chhattisgarh 76.49
4 Gujarat 3.37
5 Haryana 0.00
6 Himachal Pradesh 8.98
7 Jammu and Kashmir 17.23
8 Karnataka 0.00
9 Kerala 1.49
10 Madhya Pradesh 184.48
11 Maharashtra 30.22
12 Meghalaya 1.11
13 Odisha 3.62
14 Rajasthan 21.22
15 Sikkim 0.00
16 Tamil Nadu 22.25
17 Tripura 2.65
18 Uttar Pradesh 80.41
19 Uttarakhand 0.55
20 West Bengal 17.23
Total 526.88
Page 6 of 7Annexure-III
Annexure referred to in reply to part (c) of LokSabha Unstarred
Question No. 462 for answer on 03.02.2026
State/UT-wise number of roads which have got less than 80% marks
in Performance Evaluation (PE) during Financial Year 2025-26 (as on
28.01.2026)
Sl. State/UT Total Roads No. of roads where PE Marks
No. (Ongoing) (less than 80%)
1 Andaman and Nicobar 67 35
Islands
2 Andhra Pradesh 804 31
3 Arunachal Pradesh 451 37
4 Assam 2894 226
5 Bihar 7093 1202
6 Chhattisgarh 1659 141
8 Gujarat 270 35
9 Haryana 257 46
10 Himachal Pradesh 1007 431
11 Jammu and Kashmir 1181 249
12 Jharkhand 4329 595
13 Karnataka 823 41
14 Kerala 234 45
15 Ladakh 50 1
17 Madhya Pradesh 1829 199
18 Maharashtra 700 113
19 Manipur 388 29
20 Meghalaya 657 89
21 Mizoram 100 17
22 Nagaland 58 6
23 Odisha 5062 1572
24 Puducherry 2 0
25 Punjab 465 21
26 Rajasthan 1672 167
27 Sikkim 174 81
28 Tamil Nadu 2231 63
29 Telangana 548 157
30 Tripura 163 85
31 Uttar Pradesh 3190 120
32 Uttarakhand 964 189
33 West Bengal 1549 386
Total 40871 6409
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