26,474 kms of rural roads to be constructed in FY 2026-27: Govt

The Central government has earmarked Rs 18,907 crore for the construction of 26,474 kilometres of rural roads under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana and other rural connectivity initiatives in the financial year 2026-27, the Rural Development Ministry said on Thursday.

This was highlighted during a comprehensive high-level review meeting chaired by Secretary of the Department of Rural Development, Rohit Kansal, to assess state-wise physical and financial progress under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) and the Road Connectivity Project for Left Wing Extremism-affected areas.

According to a statement issued by the ministry, Kansal reviewed state-wise targets and implementation status for 2026-27, with special emphasis on achieving saturation of rural connectivity in left-out areas.

A major focus of the review was the quality and long-term sustainability of rural roads. Kansal said strict adherence to quality standards and effective maintenance are essential to ensure reliable rural connectivity.

Recognising the strategic importance of road infrastructure in Left Wing Extremism-affected districts, the secretary directed the states to closely coordinate with the implementing agencies and ensure the timely completion of works.

States were directed to expedite the completion of works in all remaining unconnected habitations under PMGSY-I and Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan, with particular attention to the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group habitations.

Emphasising the need for universal all-weather roads, the secretary urged states to fast-track the preparation of detailed project reports, resolve execution bottlenecks and ensure the timely completion of pending connectivity projects.

States were urged to strengthen field-level inspections, enhance quality monitoring systems and ensure robust oversight throughout project execution.

At the meeting, emphasis was also placed on the universal deployment of the e-MARG (Electronic Maintenance of Rural Roads under PMGSY) platform, enabling real-time monitoring of maintenance activities, performance assessment, and payment tracking. Wider adoption of the platform is expected to improve transparency, accountability and efficiency in rural road maintenance.

Concluding the review, the secretary issued state-specific directions to address implementation bottlenecks, fast-track land acquisition and forest clearance proposals, ensure timely compliance with project milestones and strengthen coordination among state governments, the National Rural Infrastructure Development Agency, and the Ministry of Rural Development.

Senior officials, including additional chief secretaries, principal secretaries and chief executive officers of State Rural Roads Development Agencies from Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Rajasthan and Telangana, participated in the review. The states presented targeted action plans and assured the ministry that all pending works and annual targets would be completed within the prescribed timelines, the ministry statement said.