PMGSY-IV rollout to accelerate rural connectivity in J&K: Shivraj Chouhan

Srinagar, Apr 27: Jammu and Kashmir is set for a major push in rural connectivity and livelihoods as Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan will launch the next phase of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY-IV, Batch-II) in Srinagar on Tuesday.

The programme will be formally launched at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Conference Centre in the presence of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary and senior officials.

Highlighting the scale of the initiative, Chouhan said the new phase of PMGSY would significantly expand rural road infrastructure, ensuring connectivity to remote habitations and improving access to essential services.

“Development must reach the last mile. PMGSY-IV is aimed at ensuring that connectivity translates into opportunity for every village,” he said.

Under PMGSY-IV (Batch-II), 330 new roads with a total length of about 1,600 kilometres will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 3550 crore, benefiting 363 habitations across J_K.

Officials said the initiative builds on substantial progress made since the scheme’s launch in 2000, under which 3,328 roads spanning 19,851 kilometres and 257 bridges have been completed in J&K, transforming rural accessibility.

During the event, the Union Minister will hand over the formal approval for the new phase to the Chief Minister. Approvals under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana National Rural Livelihoods Mission will also be distributed, with a focus on strengthening women-led self-help groups and promoting income generation under the “Lakhpati Didi” initiative.

Chouhan said rural development efforts are being pursued in an integrated manner, combining infrastructure expansion with livelihood promotion. He noted that nearly 96,000 Self-Help Groups, 7500 Village Organisations and 650 Cluster-Level Federations are actively engaged in strengthening the rural economy.

“Skill development, entrepreneurship and community participation are central to building sustainable livelihoods, particularly for women and rural households,” he said.

From an agricultural perspective, the Minister said farmers in J&K are benefiting from flagship schemes such as PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund and e-NAM, along with various horticulture and micro-irrigation initiatives.

He added that the Centre remains focused on strengthening rural infrastructure, boosting farm incomes and empowering grassroots communities, describing such interventions as critical to ensuring inclusive and sustainable development in Jammu & Kashmir.