Union Minister for Rural Development and Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday chaired a high-level review meeting at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi, to assess the progress of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) and to chart the action plan for the coming months. The meeting was attended by Rural Development Secretary Shailesh Singh and other senior officials.
Officials presented a state-wise progress report on PMGSY implementation, noting that while work in certain hilly and disaster-affected areas had temporarily slowed due to natural calamities, overall progress across the country remained on track.
A key highlight of the meeting was the special focus on accelerating road connectivity projects in the northeastern states and Left-Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected regions, including Chhattisgarh. Chouhan directed officials to intensify efforts in these areas and announced that he would soon convene a dedicated review meeting in the Northeast. The upcoming meeting will bring together Chief Ministers and state representatives to review multiple rural development initiatives, including PMGSY, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), Skill Development programmes and the National Rural Livelihood Mission.
The Minister also discussed plans to commemorate the 25th anniversary of PMGSY in December 2025 with nationwide celebrations, calling the scheme “a historic initiative that has changed both the condition and direction of our villages.” He directed officials to prepare and release a comprehensive report showcasing the scheme’s 25-year journey and its transformative impact on rural connectivity.
Concluding the meeting, Chouhan urged officials to accelerate the pace of construction, ensure strict adherence to quality standards, and resolve state-level coordination issues promptly. He emphasised that timely completion of projects would help strengthen rural infrastructure and support inclusive growth across India.
