Parliament Question: Projects under PMGSY

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2873 ANSWERED ON 10/03/2026 PROJECTS UNDER PMGSY 2873. Dr. Bachhav Shobha Dinesh: Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has taken cognizance of the fact that projects under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) are assessed and sanctioned on the basis of Census 2011 data, if so, the details thereof; (b) whether the continued reliance on outdated population and habitation data has resulted in exclusion of deserving districts and habitations from road connectivity, if so, the details thereof; (c) whether any district has been accorded special consideration or exemption from the 2011 Census criteria for sanction of roads; and (d) the criteria, norms and guidelines on the basis of which such relaxation was granted? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI KAMLESH PASWAN) (a) to (d): The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-IV (PMGSY-IV) was approved by the Union Cabinet on 11th September 2024 to provide all weather road connectivity to previously unconnected 25,000 habitations by constructing 62,500 km of all-weather roads with necessary cross drainage and culvert with a total financial outlay of ₹70,125 crore (Central share: ₹49,087.50 crore; State share: ₹21,037.50 crore). To ensure objective selection, Census 2011 remains the standard benchmark for population data, though significant relaxations are provided for specific geographies: (i) General Areas: Habitations with a population of 500 or more. Page 1 of 2(ii) Special Category Areas: A threshold of 250 or more applies to Hill States, North-Eastern Regions, Desert Areas, and Tribal (Schedule V) Areas. (iii) Aspirational Districts/Blocks: These regions also benefit from the relaxed 250 or more population criteria. (iv) LWE-Affected Districts: Connectivity is extended to habitations with a population of 100 or more as identified by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The scheme further prioritises social inclusion through convergence with Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DA- JGUA) for ST-dominated habitations and PM-Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) for SC-concentrated areas. ***** Page 2 of 2