Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana has become Lifeline of Villages: CM Dr. Yadav

Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav said that when there is a strong will for development, a single scheme can transform the destiny of rural India. The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) has made this possible. Roads constructed under the scheme have now become the lifeline of villages. The contribution of PMGSY in transforming the destiny and landscape of rural India is unparalleled. Permanent roads have now reached small and large towns, villages, hamlets and remote habitations across the country and the state, making transportation in rural areas extremely convenient.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that PMGSY has accelerated the realisation of inclusive development by effectively implementing rural development programmes and public welfare schemes on the ground. Madhya Pradesh is witnessing this historic occasion as PMGSY completes 25 years of transforming rural India. He said that the scheme’s silver jubilee celebration marks the beginning of a new era in rural development. The nationwide launch of PMGSY-IV and PM JANMAN is a major step toward providing strong, durable and all-weather road connectivity to villages across the country.

Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav was addressing the inauguration programme of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana Phase-IV and the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN) works at Bhairunda in Sehore district on Sunday.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav, Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, Union Minister of State for Rural Development Shri Kamlesh Paswan and other dignitaries formally inaugurated the state-level programme by lighting the ceremonial lamp. A short film showcasing the 25-year journey of PMGSY was also screened during the programme.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that Madhya Pradesh ranks first in the country in rural connectivity. Over the past few years, more than 90,150 km of roads have been constructed in the state, connecting over 17,540 habitations with main roads. Over the last 25 years, farmers’ access to mandis has become easier, children’s education has become more regular and healthcare services have significantly improved. He said that projects worth more than ₹5,000 crore have been dedicated to Madhya Pradesh through the programme. Development and welfare of the poor remain the government’s top priorities, and the state government will continue to work in coordination with the Central Government to achieve these goals.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that roads in rural areas are not merely pathways; they form the foundation of development, education, healthcare, employment and a dignified life. PMGSY has connected villages with the mainstream of development. He added that PMGSY-IV will emerge as a milestone in making rural India self-reliant and prosperous.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the country’s rural infrastructure is being continuously strengthened. Madhya Pradesh has always played a leading role in this national mission. Roads reaching remote villages have enabled farmers to access markets, students to pursue education, patients to avail healthcare facilities and youth to access better employment opportunities.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Budhni region has today received major development projects for the state. He recalled that former Prime Minister Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee had initiated rural road construction 25 years ago, and the state government is carrying forward this vision with the support of the Government of India. He said that Madhya Pradesh has received assistance for Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana roads, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and completion of pending works. The state has received three awards in different categories for road construction and maintenance. Madhya Pradesh ranks first in the country in rural road construction. He also announced approval for all development works and demands raised by local public representatives for the Vidisha parliamentary constituency.

Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan handed over the approval letters for PMGSY-IV and PM JANMAN to Chief Minister Dr. Yadav. He also handed over a symbolic allocation of ₹830 crore to Madhya Pradesh under PMGSY for the financial year 2026-27. During the programme, a symbolic allocation of ₹18,907 crore for PMGSY-related works for the year 2026-27 was digitally released for various states and Union Territories, of which ₹830 crore has been allocated to Madhya Pradesh.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin, Madhya Pradesh received a mother sanction of ₹2,055 crore, the approval letter for which was handed over to Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav by Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The Union Minister also handed over the approval letter for the procurement of moong and mustard crops at the Minimum Support Price (MSP).

During the silver jubilee celebration, representatives of states and Union Territories that delivered outstanding performance under PMGSY were felicitated. Awards were presented in five categories, including road length, habitation connectivity, excellence in technology, maintenance and post-guarantee upkeep.

Madhya Pradesh secured first position in the category of highest PMGSY road construction length, having constructed a total of 90,150 km of roads. In the category of connecting rural habitations through PMGSY roads, Bihar secured first place while Madhya Pradesh ranked second, having connected 17,793 rural habitations through all-weather roads. Madhya Pradesh also secured first place for excellence in road maintenance even after the guarantee period.

Madhya Pradesh has received approval for 973 new roads spanning 2,117 km at a cost of ₹1,763 crore under PMGSY-IV. These roads will connect 987 rural habitations. The road projects under PM JANMAN, worth ₹261 crore covering 384 km, have also been approved, benefiting 168 tribal-dominated habitations. These initiatives will bring a new wave of development to tribal, remote and inaccessible regions of the state.

Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav is a leader of strong resolve and is leaving no stone unturned for the development of the state. He said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, a massive campaign for the state’s development is underway. No village in Madhya Pradesh will remain deprived of all-weather roads. He added that under PM JANMAN as well, new road projects worth ₹261 crore have been sanctioned. He further stated that no poor family in the state will remain without a house, and therefore, financial assistance worth ₹2,055 crore has been sanctioned under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.

Shri Chouhan said that Madhya Pradesh ranks number one in the country in rural road construction, for which the state government and officials deserve congratulations. He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, villages are now being connected with all-weather roads, and basic infrastructure such as roads and electricity has witnessed remarkable improvement in Madhya Pradesh.

Union Minister of State Shri Kamlesh Paswan said that PMGSY has reduced the distance between villages and cities. Farmers are now able to sell their produce in urban mandis, pregnant women are reaching hospitals on time, and children are attending schools regularly. He congratulated everyone on the 25th anniversary of PMGSY.

Union Minister of State Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani said that former Prime Minister Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee gifted PMGSY to rural India on December 25, 2000. He said Atal Ji firmly believed that rural roads form the foundation of national development. Under the scheme, more than 8.25 lakh km of rural roads have been sanctioned nationwide, and over 95 per cent of the work has been completed. More than 1.07 lakh rural habitations have been connected to main roads across the country.

Budhni MLA Shri Ramashankar Bhargava said that through this state-level programme at Bhairunda, Madhya Pradesh has received a major gift of new roads. He informed that 963 roads spanning 2,117 km will be constructed in the state at a cost of ₹1,763 crore.

Revenue Minister Shri Karan Singh Verma, Sehore MLA Shri Sudesh Rai, Ashta MLA Shri Gopal Singh Engineer, District Panchayat Chairperson Smt. Rachna Surendra Mewada, Joint Secretary in the Union Rural Development Ministry, Sushri Aditi Singh, public representatives and a large number of villagers were present at the programme.

Over the past 25 years, the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana has played a crucial role in the social and economic transformation of rural India. Construction of lakhs of kilometres of roads has connected villages with cities, enabled agricultural produce to reach markets and accelerated the rural economy. In Madhya Pradesh as well, the scheme has established all-weather connectivity to thousands of villages. Along with showcasing the achievements of the past, the national event also presented a future vision for rural India. Schemes such as PMGSY-IV and PM JANMAN will become major instruments in taking villages to new heights of development and strengthening the resolve of a Developed India.