Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Rural Development responded to a parliamentary question regarding the proposed four-laning of the Shimla to Kangra road under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY). The response clarifies that PMGSY focuses on rural roads (ODR and VR) and that no new projects are being sanctioned under PMGSY II and PMGSY III, with a completion timeline of March 2026 for ongoing projects. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is responsible for the development of the Shimla to Kangra stretch as part of a National Highway project.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **PMGSY Program:**
* Established in 2000 to provide all-weather road connectivity to unconnected habitations.
* PMGSY II and PMGSY III focused on consolidation and upgradation of rural roads.
* Covers only Other District Roads (ODR) and Village Roads (VR).
* No new projects are being sanctioned under PMGSY II and PMGSY III.
* Timeline for completion of ongoing projects is March 2026.
* **Shimla to Kangra Road Project:**
* The 220 km Shimla to Kangra stretch is a National Highway project under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
* The project includes 4-lane/2-lane paved shoulder development.
* The project is divided into multiple packages (I, IIA, IIB, IIC, Common portion, III, IV, VB) with varying statuses: DPR consultancy, DPR awarded, work sanctioned, under construction, work completed, and provisionally completed.
* Several packages are under Greenfield alignment.
* Revised scheduled completion dates for Packages IIIC and IV are 28.10.2025 and 15.12.2025 respectively.
* Package VB is provisionally completed.
Impact Analysis:
* **Ministry of Rural Development:**
* Impact: Clarifies the role and scope of PMGSY in relation to the Shimla-Kangra road project.
* Action Required: Continue overseeing existing PMGSY projects and ensure completion by March 2026.
* **Ministry of Road Transport and Highways:**
* Impact: Responsible for the development of the Shimla to Kangra National Highway stretch.
* Action Required: Continue development of the Shimla-Kangra stretch, monitor progress of individual packages (I, IIA, IIB, IIC, Common portion, III, IV, VB), and meet the revised scheduled completion dates for ongoing construction.
* **States/UTs (including Himachal Pradesh):**
* Impact: PMGSY assists in providing road connectivity.
* Action Required: Coordinate with the central government on road development projects and ensure timely completion of PMGSY projects.
* **Citizens of Himachal Pradesh:**
* Impact: Improved road connectivity and reduced travel time upon completion of the National Highway project and PMGSY projects.
* Action Required: None specified.
Key Entities Referenced
Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana PMGSY: A Government of India scheme implemented since 2000 to provide all-weather road connectivity to eligible unconnected habitations in States and Union Territories.
Ministry of Rural Development: The Indian government ministry responsible for implementing rural development programs.
Shimla to Kangra: A road stretch in Himachal Pradesh that is being developed into a 4-lane/2-lane paved shoulder highway.
Himachal Pradesh: A state in India where the PMGSY scheme is being implemented and where the Shimla to Kangra road is located.
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways: The Indian government ministry responsible for the development of National Highways, including the Shimla to Kangra stretch.
PMGSY II: The second phase of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, focused on consolidation and upgradation of rural roads.
PMGSY III: The third phase of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, focused on consolidation and upgradation of rural roads.
PMGati Shakti: A national master plan for multi-modal connectivity in India, influencing the principles of road development projects under PMGSY.
O.I.H.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2666
ANSWERED ON 05/08/2025
FOUR LANE UNDER PMGSY
2666. Dr. Rajeev Bharadwaj:
Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is proposed to make the 184 km long Shimla to
Kangra four lane road and two lane also at several places;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the amount allocated for the said scheme?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI KAMLESH PASWAN)
(a) to (c): The Government of India, as a part of the poverty
reduction strategy, has implemented Pradhan Mantri Gram
SadakYojana (PMGSY) since year 2000 to assist the States in
providing all-weather road connectivity to the eligible
unconnected habitations in States/ UTs including in Himachal
Pradesh. Under PMGSY II and PMGSY III consolidation and
upgradation of rural roads was taken up. As per programme
guidelines, the PMGSY covers only the roads that were formerly
classified as ‘Other District Roads’ (ODR) and ‘Village Roads’ (VR).
Further, no new projects are being sanctioned under PMGSY II and
PMGSY III as the timeline for completion of ongoing projects is
March, 2026.
As informed by Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the
Shimla to Kangra stretch of National Highway, having a length of
about 220 Km is under development for 4 lane/2 lane + Paved
Shoulder. The details along with the amount allocated is at
Annexure.
Page 1 of 3*****
Page 2 of 3Annexure
Annexure referred to in parts (a) to (c) of LokSabhaUnstarred
Question number 2666 asked by Dr. Rajeev Bhardwaj due for reply
on 05.08.2025
Shimla-Mataur Corridor Status
Package No. Lane Stretch Existing Design Total Status
Configuration Description (from- Length Length Capital
to) (Km) (km) Cost (in
RsCrore)
Package-I 4lane Shimla to 31.500 Detailed Project Report(DPR) consultancy
Shalaghat (NH- to be ta ken up. The lane
205)(Greenfield configuration/Improvement shall be based
alignment) on DPR, inter-se-priority, availability of
fund in line with principle of PM-Gati
Shakti.
Package-IIA 4lane Shalaghat to 22.5 DPR awarded with tentative length of
Dareota (NH- about 4.5 Km. The lane configuration/
205)(Greenfield improvement shall be based on DPR,
alignment) inter-se-priority, availability of fund in line
with principle of PM-Gati Shakti.
Package-IIB 4lane Dareota to 7.825 859.03 Work sanctioned.
KalarBala (NH- Bids under
205)(Greenfield evaluation.
alignment)
Package-IIC 4lane KalarBala to 25.4 17.45 1244.43 Under Construction.
NauniChowk (NH- Scheduled/likely
205) completion date is
12.05.2027
Common 4lane NauniChowk to 15.600 Work Completed under Kiratpur –
portion Bhager (NH-21, Nerchowk Section.
Greenfield
alignment)
Package-III 4 lane Bhager to 42 DPR awarded. The lane
Hamirpur (NH-103) configuration/Improvement shall be based
on DPR, inter-se-priority, availability of
fund in line with principle of PM-Gati
Shakti.
Hamirpur 2lane+PS Hamirpur Bypass 24 17.120 739.39 Under
Bypass (NH 103 & Construction.
03)(Greenfield Revised scheduled
alignment) Completion date is
28.10.2025.
Package-IV 2lane+PS End of Hamirpur 39.75 36.975 1184.23 Under
bypass (ChilBahal) Construction.
to Bhangbar (NH-3 Revised scheduled
& 303) Completion date is
15.12.2025.
Package-VB 4lane Bhangbar to 22.95 18.130 1322.95 Provisionally
Kangra Bypass Completed
(NH-303 & 503)
*****
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