PMGSY-IV sanctions 1,781 kilometers of roads in J&K

The Central Government has sanctioned ₹4,224 crore for 316 road projects in Jammu & Kashmir under PMGSY-IV, which will significantly improve rural infrastructure. This development makes J&K the first Union Territory in India to gain permission under the most recent phase of the rural connectivity project.

The Central Government approved a ₹4,224 crore investment for 316 rural road projects in Jammu & Kashmir through the Pradhan Mantri Gramme Sadak Yojana Phase IV (PMGSY-IV). This enormous investment seeks to build around 1,781 km of rural roads, linking 390 settlements with populations surpassing 250. It is the largest rural road development effort sanctioned for the Union Territory, and J&K becomes the first state or UT in the country to gain permission under the PMGSY-IV programme.

The road network is intended to significantly improve last-mile connections, allowing for quicker access to critical services such as schools, healthcare, and marketplaces in remote and underprivileged areas. The decision is viewed as an important step towards inclusive development and rural transformation. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Rural Development Minister Giriraj Singh for the initiative, which he described as a significant step towards prosperity for remote villages.

In addition to approved projects, the Centre has requested the J&K administration and the National Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (NRIDA) to realign and modify 346 more proposals totalling ₹4,402 crore. These projects must follow the new PMGSY-IV requirements, which include extensive field verification of habitations, prioritising of vital roadways, and prompt signing of memorandums of understanding to assure adequate post-construction maintenance.

The approved and ongoing projects total approximately ₹8,600 crore in infrastructure investment for J&K’s rural connectivity. This project, which emphasises quality, sustainability, and strategic execution, is expected to open up new economic and social opportunities for regional inhabitants while confirming the government’s commitment to balanced regional development and infrastructure-led growth.