New Delhi [India], October 5 (ANI): Addressing the two-day National Brainstorming Workshop on the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Monday, Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, urged officials and engineers not to let the workshop remain a mere formal ritual.
Instead, he called upon them to find concrete and innovative solutions to the practical challenges faced on the ground.
He emphasised that the next phase of PMGSY should not merely be about routine construction but should focus on ensuring 'quality connectivity'.
The event was attended by Union Minister of State for Rural Development Kamlesh Paswan, Rural Development Secretary Rohit Kansal, and PMGSY secretaries, chief engineers, and experts from all states and Union Territories.
In his address, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan recalled the words of 'Bapu' (Mahatma Gandhi), stating that the road to a developed India passes through the footpaths of fields and the lanes of villages.
He emphasised that the country's holistic development remains incomplete without the development of its villages. Sharing a childhood memory, he recounted how he used to travel 13 kilometres on horseback, navigating footpaths and muddy terrain, to get from his village to Bhopal for his studies.
He said, "I have witnessed firsthand the agony caused by the lack of roads, where pregnant women and critically ill patients had to be carried on cots, often succumbing on the way."
Paying tribute to the late former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna recipient Atal Bihari Vajpayee, he recalled Vajpayee's famous lines and noted that the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) has completely transformed rural life and the economy. To date, approximately 8.50 lakh kilometres of rural roads have been constructed across the country.
Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he mentioned that under PMGSY-IV, a target of constructing 62,000 kilometres of new roads has been set; of this, 20,000 kilometres have already been approved, and the project must be completed within a stipulated timeframe.
Taking a stern view of delays in projects, Union Minister Chouhan noted that a 72-day timeline is mandated for the period between receiving approval and commencing construction, yet some states are violating this rule. He directed that a comprehensive record regarding such states be prepared.
He emphasised that the tendering process must be strictly time-bound. Obstacles such as repeated tender cancellations or a lack of bids should be addressed proactively through 'pre-tender planning,' as unnecessary delays drive up the cost of construction materials and cause projects to stall.
Addressing delays in forest and environmental clearances, he told officials in no uncertain terms that merely writing a letter and waiting is not a solution.
He stated, "The game of exchanging letters will not work. There must be a genuine drive to expedite the work. Officials should sit directly with the Environment Department and District Collectors to ensure the one-time resolution of pending cases."
Highlighting challenges such as changing weather patterns, floods, landslides, and excessive rainfall, Chouhan noted that the country is diverse; therefore, a 'one-size-fits-all' engineering model cannot be applied to every state and geographical region. Special attention must be paid to local gradients, drainage, culverts, and waterlogging conditions while preparing Detailed Project Reports (DPRs).
He remarked that a road serves no purpose if, due to poor drainage, water floods villagers' homes. Along with the road itself, the provision of culverts, robust drainage systems, and plantation drives must be ensured.
Taking a very firm stance on quality control, Union Minister Shivraj Singh declared that no compromise regarding construction quality would be tolerated. Any agency found carrying out substandard construction must be immediately blacklisted. (ANI)
Union Minister Shivraj Chouhan calls for quality, timely execution of PMGSY, warns against delays and poor construction
