1,254 PMGSY roads completed in Arunachal Pradesh, some projects pending
Arunachal Pradesh : Of the 1,309 roads approved under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) in Arunachal Pradesh, 1,254 have been completed, while the remaining projects are still pending due to various constraints, Rural Works Department Minister Pasang Dorjee Sona told the state assembly on March 9.
Responding to a Zero Hour discussion by Congress MLA Kumar Y, the minister said the government is prioritizing the construction and upgrading of rural roads to strengthen connectivity in remote and interior parts of the state.
Sona said that the incomplete roads under PMGSY Phase-I are mostly in remote and difficult areas, where numerous obstacles have impacted the pace of construction.
He explained that the state’s monsoon season lasts a long time, leaving less time for construction work.
The minister further stated that Arunachal Pradesh’s rugged and mountainous terrain poses additional challenges such as landslides, heavy rainfall, and other natural disasters. He said that local issues, such as disputes over land compensation, also delay road construction, although compensation is not included in the PMGSY scheme. Appealing for public cooperation, Sona said that roads are for the benefit of the people, and the local community should assist in construction instead of creating obstacles.
He also urged villagers to monitor road construction in their areas to ensure transparency and quality.
Emphasizing another issue, the minister said that the use of nanotechnology in road construction, introduced by the central government, has not been successful in the state due to its unique terrain and climate.
He said, “This issue has been raised with the central government at various levels,” and added that no positive response has been received so far.
Sona further stated that the central government has refused to extend the deadline for completing the incomplete roads under PMGSY Phase I. However, the state government has requested the central government to extend the deadline until March next year to complete the remaining work.
He further stated that the state government has also submitted a proposal to the central government seeking relaxation of the population criteria under the PMGSY to connect more settlements in the state with all-weather roads. In addition to this central government scheme, the state government is also constructing additional roads under the state plan to address the lack of connectivity in areas not covered by the program.
The minister stated that road projects are also being implemented under the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive State Rural Development Program (CMCSRDP) as a temporary measure to improve village connectivity.
The centrally launched PMGSY aims to provide all-weather road connectivity to areas that lack connectivity. In Arunachal Pradesh, this program has played a crucial role in connecting remote villages to district headquarters and improving access to essential services such as healthcare, education, and markets.
