(a) the status of implementation of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) in Kerala;
(b) whether the special relaxation of norms for Kerala has come into force;
(c) if so, whether the relaxed norms have increased the pace of implementation; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI BIRENDER SINGH)
(a) to (d) ‘Rural Roads’ is a State subject and Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) is a one-time special intervention to provide rural connectivity, by way of a single all-weather road, to the eligible unconnected habitations in the core network with a population of 500 persons (as per 2001 Census) and above in plain areas. In respect of ‘Special Category States’ (North-East, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Uttarakhand), the Desert areas, the Tribal (Schedule V) areas and Selected Tribal and Backward districts as identified by the Ministry of Home Affairs/ Planning Commission, the objective is to connect eligible unconnected habitations as per Core-Network with a population of 250 persons and above (Census 2001). In the critical LWE affected blocks (as identified by MHA), additional relaxation has been given to connect habitations with population 100 persons and above.
Under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), the State Government of Kerala has been sanctioned projects worth Rs. 1,513 crore for 1430 numbers of road works covering 3,358 km. road length. As reported by the State Government, 849 road works covering 1915 km road length have been completed with an expenditure of Rs. 818 crore, up to October, 2014.