Parliament Question: Special Funds for PMGSY

O.I.H.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2735 ANSWERED ON 05/08/2025 SPECIAL FUNDS FOR PMGSY

2735. Shri NeerajMaurya:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has issued any directions to all State Governments to make provisions for seperate funds for the maintenance and to repair of the road constructed under the Pradhan MantriGraminSadakYojana (PMGSY);

(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise;

(c) whether the Government has taken any action against various States including Uttar Pradesh for not making provision of the said funds or not contribute to the maintenance and repair of the said roads;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) if not, the reasons therefor? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI KAMLESH PASWAN)

(a) & (b): 'Rural road' is a State subject and as per the programme guidelines of 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 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 Page 1 of 2consisting of 5-year maintenance, including renewal as per maintenance cycle, from time to time, which are also financed by the State Governments.

National Quality Monitors appointed by the Ministry are also deputed to check the quality of maintenance work on PMGSY roads.

If any work is found having unsatisfactory grading, the concerned State Government is informed to get it rectified/ repaired.

To further enhance the focus on maintenance of roads during the defect liability period and also streamlining the delivery of routine maintenance of PMGSY roads, electronic Maintenance of Rural Roads (eMARG)-an e-governance solution, has been implemented in all the States to monitor maintenance of PMGSY works for five years from the date of completion (i.e. under Defect Liability Period-DLP).

(c) to (e): Yes, the Ministry has taken several actions to ensurecompliance with maintenance obligations, including concerning Uttar Pradesh and other States. These are as follows:

(i) At the time of scheme implementation, each State/UT signs a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) committing to provide adequate funds for both phases of maintenance — initial 5 years post-construction and the subsequent 5-year maintenance cycle (including renewals). This commitment is a prerequisite for participation in the scheme.

(ii) Release of the Central Share of the Programme funds to the States is conditional to the timely release of maintenance funds by the States/ UTs. For proposals submitted after May, certification has to the effect that at least 50% of the current year’s maintenance requirement has been met and for proposals submitted after November, certification of 100% release of the current year’s requirement is required from the States/ UTs. The provisioning of maintenance funds and undertaking of maintenance on PMGSY roads is reviewed in the review meetings held with the States/ UTs.

The States are advised to complete their periodic inspections regarding the maintenance of PMGSY roads in time. ***** Page 2 of 2