Relaxation under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana for Tribal (Schedule-V) areas (other than areas already included in 82 IAP districts) and Blocks adjoining International Borders under Border Area De

The Union Cabinet today approved revising the Core Network under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yjana (PMGSY) by including 2,687 left-out unconnection habitations (as per 2001 census) in Tribal (Schedule-V) areas (other than 82 IAP districts already covered) and Blocks adjoining International Border under Border Area Development Programme (BADP) and to provide new connectivity to these habitations, at an estimated cost of Rs.5,929 crore.

It also approved upgradation of selected roads measuring about 2000 km length out of the roads, the assessment of surface condition of which could not be carried out properly earlier, in the Tribal (Schedule-V) areas and Blocks adjoining the international border under the Border Area Development Programme (BADP) at an estimated cost of Rs.1,000 core.

The Minister of Rural Development has been authorisied to include any cases of additional number of habitations, subject to overall budgetary allocations for the Scheme in consultation with the Ministry of Finance.

Construction/upgradation of rural road under PMGSY provides socio-economic benefits to all sections of the rural population including scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, differently abled and minority communities. The funds will be used to provide all-weather connectivity to rural areas. It will, therefore, promote equity and geographical inclusiveness of growth processes by enhancing connectivity in the poorer and backward regions.

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SH/SK