Question : MAINTENANCE OF ROADS UNDER PMGSY

(a) whether there is any provision for work of maintenance of roads constructed under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) to be done by contractors for five years;

(b) if so, whether the Government has prepared any report regarding maintenance of roads constructed till date ;

(c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(d) whether the Government has any special scheme for maintenance and repair of roads which are constructed more than five years back; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI PRADEEP JAIN `ADITYA`)

(a) Yes, Sir. As per provisions of the Standard Bidding Document (SBD), the roads constructed under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) are covered by 5 years maintenance contract to be entered into alongwith the construction contract with the same contractor.

(b)to(e) Rural road is a State subject and PMGSY is a one time special intervention of Central Government to improve the rural infrastructure through construction of roads. The rural roads under PMGSY are constructed, maintained and owned by the respective State Governments. As such, the responsibility to ensure maintenance of assets so created lies with the State Governments. Maintenance funds to service the contract, as envisaged in SBD, is to be budgeted by the State Governments and placed at the disposal of respective State Rural Roads Development Agency (SRRDA). On the part of the Ministry, budgeting of maintenance fund by the State Government has been linked with the release of funds under the programme. Also, 13th Finance Commission has made a provision of Rs. 19,930 crore over the next four financial years for maintenance of roads and bridges. Besides, under the third tier of the quality mechanism operational for the programme, independent National Quality Monitors deployed also assess routine maintenance of roads completed under PMGSY on random sample basis.