PMGSY Chintan Shivir: Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan Warns Agencies Compromising Quality Will Be Blacklisted

Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, addressed the two-day national Chintan Shivir of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. He called upon officials and engineers to ensure that the camp does not remain a mere formal ritual, but instead serves as a platform to find concrete and innovative solutions to practical difficulties encountered on the ground. He clarified that the next phase of PMGSY must focus on 'Quality Connectivity.'

The Union Minister stated that approximately 8.50 lakh kilometers of rural roads have been constructed across the country so far. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a target of 62,000 kilometers of new roads has been set for the fourth phase (PMGSY-IV), out of which 20,000 kilometers have already been approved.

Taking a strict stance on project delays, Shri Chouhan directed that the 72-day timeline from approval to the start of construction be strictly followed. He urged for the tendering process to be time-bound and for obstacles to be removed through 'pre-tender planning.' Regarding forest and environmental clearances, he instructed officials to conduct personal follow-ups and resolve pending cases by sitting with District Collectors rather than relying solely on written correspondence.

Emphasizing construction quality, the Minister stated that agencies delivering substandard work should be blacklisted immediately, ensuring they cannot obtain work again under different names. He cautioned officials against remaining confined to their offices and instructed them to conduct surprise inspections in the field. He further noted that along with road construction, robust drainage, culverts, and plantation must be ensured to tackle challenges such as climate change and flooding.

Shri Chouhan praised states that have performed excellently in various sectors. He identified Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Rajasthan as leaders in quality, while Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu were recognized for excellence in maintenance. Additionally, Uttar Pradesh was praised for the use of new technology (FDR) and Assam for its innovation in QR coding of assets. He announced that better-performing states would be given preference and awards in upcoming projects.

The Union Minister suggested focusing on 'Life Cycle Management' and creating a permanent financial arrangement for maintenance even after the five-year guarantee period following construction. Furthermore, he issued instructions to build roads on a war footing in remote and Naxal-affected areas of Chhattisgarh, Gadchiroli in Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and Andhra Pradesh under the PM Janman Yojana.