Parliament Question: Pending Road Projects under PMGSY

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1597 ANSWERED ON 28/07/2026 PENDING ROAD PROJECTS UNDER PMGSY 1597. Dr. Prashant Yadaorao Padole: Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is aware that Bhandara and Gondia districts are Naxal-affected and predominantly tribal districts where road connectivity is vital for development, security, education, healthcare and rural livelihoods, if so, the details thereof; (b) whether adequate funds have not been provided for several road projects in these districts under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) during the last four years, resulting in delays in construction, maintenance and deterioration of road conditions; (c) if so, the details of funds sanctioned, released and utilized under PMGSY for Bhandara and Gondia districts during the last four years, year-wise; (d) whether poor road conditions are causing serious hardships to villagers, students, farmers, patients and security forces in these areas, if so, the details thereof; and (e) whether the Government proposes to provide special financial assistance and prepare a time-bound action plan for completion of all pending and proposed road projects in Bhandara and Gondia districts, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI KAMLESH PASWAN) (a) to (e): Under PMGSY, special emphasis is accorded for improving rural road connectivity in Aspirational Districts, tribal areas, Left Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected areas and other remote and difficult regions, in accordance with the scheme guidelines and approved framework in order to promote socio-economic development, Page 1 of 3improving access to education, healthcare and agricultural markets, and facilitating rural livelihoods. Accordingly, the Government has adopted the following mechanisms to prioritize road connectivity in such areas: (i) Priority to eligible unconnected habitations located in Aspirational Districts, tribal and remote areas while preparing proposals under the relevant verticals of PMGSY, subject to eligibility under the scheme by identifying such projects under Comprehensive New Connectivity Priority List (CNCPL). The sanctions and implementation of projects are done as per the CNCPL list. (ii) Dedicated interventions such as the Road Connectivity Project for Left Wing Extremism Affected Areas (RCPLWEA) to improve connectivity in LWE-affected districts. (iii) Under PMGSY-IV unconnected habitations of population size (as per Census 2011) 500+ in plains, 250+ in Special Category States (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Ladakh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu Kashmir and Uttarakhand), Special Category Areas [(Tribal Schedule-V Areas, Desert Areas, Aspirational Blocks/ Districts and Hilly areas as notified by the respective State Government (cross slope more than 25% gradient and the elevation is more than 600 meters from the Mean Sea Level)] and 100+ in LWE affected Districts including Legacy & Thrust Districts identified by MHA from time to time. (iv) Under PMGSY-IV, habitations identified under Vibrant Village Program-II are being prioritised for all-weather road connectivity. (v) Under PM-JANMAN, road connectivity is being provided to eligible Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) habitations with a population of 100+, to improve access to essential services and socio-economic opportunities. In the district of Bhandara, since inception till date, a total of 171 roads covering 717.47 km and 9 bridges have been sanctioned under various verticals of the PMGSY, out of which, 171 roads covering 710.90 km and 9 bridges have already been constructed. Similarly, in Gondia district, since inception till date, a total of 285 road works covering 1,130.24 km and 16 bridges have been sanctioned. All the sanctioned road works and bridges have been completed. Page 2 of 3The funds for implementation of the schemes are released by the Ministry to the States/UTs as a whole and not district-wise. Further, the funds are released on the basis of works in hand, the progress achieved in the project and after due submission of necessary documents. Currently, the fund releases under PMGSY are through the SNA SPARSH system. The funds released and expenditure incurred by the State of Maharashtra, during the last four years and current year, are as under: - (Rs in crore) Financial Year Release Expenditure 2022-23 742.995 1074.02 2023-24 1110.80 1507.37 2024-25 854.93 1524.10 2025-26 529.73 1402.23 2026-27 (as on 23.07.2026) 354.16 196.36 Under PMGSY-IV, the State Government has surveyed unconnected habitations for providing connectivity through the Gram Sadak Survey Application. However, the state has not surveyed any habitation as unconnected in the Bhandara and Gondia districts. No proposal for any special financial assistance or action plan in respect of PMGSY projects in these districts is currently pending in the Ministry. ***** Page 3 of 3