Jammu Kashmir UT Approves 1,487 New PMGSY Roads to Connect 1,626 Rural Habitations | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Tuesday chaired the Union Territory Level Standing Committee (UTLSC) meeting on the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) to review progress under PMGSY–IV and finalise the roadmap for 2025–26.

The UTLSC approved Batch–II proposals comprising 1,487 new road works across Jammu and Kashmir, covering 7,276.676 kilometres at an estimated cost of Rs 16,256.82 crore. The projects aim to connect 1,626 unconnected rural habitations, with maintenance and renewal costs of Rs 1,300.55 crore and Rs 1,950.82 crore respectively to ensure sustainability.

Border districts including Rajouri, Poonch, Kathua, Doda, Baramulla and Kupwara feature prominently, reflecting a focus on hilly, difficult, and border areas.

Reviewing Batch–I (2025–26), officials said 316 road projects have already been sanctioned—221 in Jammu Division and 95 in Kashmir Division. Of these, 313 works have been tendered, while 292 have reached the stage of Letters of Acceptance, Notices to Proceed, or agreement execution.

PMGSY-IV, approved by the Ministry of Rural Development, targets newly eligible rural habitations based on Census 2011 population growth. The scheme runs from 2024–25 to 2028–29, with eligibility set at 500+ in plains and 250+ in hilly areas. Works are prioritised through a Comprehensive New Connectivity Priority List considering population, aspirational district status, Scheduled Tribe concentration, and convergence with other Central schemes.

The cost-sharing ratio for Jammu and Kashmir under PMGSY-IV is 90:10 between the Centre and the UT, in line with provisions for Himalayan States.

Chief Secretary Dulloo emphasised time-bound execution, strict monitoring, quality construction, and early resolution of legal and procedural hurdles. He directed departments to ensure timely commencement and completion of sanctioned works to benefit the population without delay.

The newly constructed roads are expected to improve access to education, healthcare, markets, and growth centres, boosting socio-economic development in rural and remote areas of Jammu and Kashmir.