Two-day conference focuses on promoting climate-resilient, sustainable designs and leveraging digital technologies to strengthen rural road connectivity in India.
The two-day Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) Chintan Shivir was held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on 5–6 October 2026. The gathering brought together senior officers and representatives from States/UTs, policymakers, technical experts, Knowledge partners, and other stakeholders to discuss future actions for strengthening rural road connectivity through PMGSY.
Over the past 25 years, PMGSY has constructed around 8 lakh km of rural roads under different phases of the programme. Under PMGSY-IV, with an outlay of ₹70,125 crore, approximately 62,500 km of all-weather roads are targeted to provide connectivity to 25,000 eligible unconnected habitations.
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan emphasized greater use of digital technologies, GPS-based monitoring, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for field verification, monitoring, and timely decision-making. He also focused on overcoming challenges faced during implementation using the guidance of domain experts and policymakers.
Addressing the Chintan Shivir, the Hon’ble Union Minister of Rural Development emphasized the need for timely completion of ongoing works, expeditious preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) and tendering, improved construction quality, preventive maintenance, and stronger accountability at all levels.
Expert sessions/deliberations on future-ready rural roads included discussions from CRRI, NDMA,CDRI on disaster- and climate-resilient rural roads, emerging construction technologies, sustainable materials, and AI-enabled digital monitoring systems. These deliberations focused on identifying proven practices and innovative solutions that can be scaled up for field-level implementation across the country.
Shri Kamlesh Paswan highlighted the need for close monitoring of pending and delayed works, particularly in difficult and North-Eastern areas. He emphasized stronger contractor responsibility during the stipulated five-year maintenance period, examination of genuine connectivity gaps under PMGSY-IV, and improved coordination among stakeholders for timely resolution of implementation constraints.
Shri Rohit Kansal, Secretary, Rural Development, urged implementing States/UTs to quickly adopt new technologies incorporated under PMGSY to further support the existing system and strengthen it through a transparent mechanism. He also emphasized the importance of placing quality assurance, preventive maintenance, and field verification at the core of implementation.
The Secretary, Rural Development, extended his warm greetings and congratulations to all participants who have joined the Chintan Shivir from across the country.
Source:
Press Information Bureau
