New Delhi, July 10: Days after presenting the Union Budget in the parliament, Narendra Modi-led central government on Wednesday approved the launch of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-III. The scheme was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) which showed the green signal for the construction of 1,25,000 km rural road length to be consolidated at an estimated cost of Rs 80,250 crore.

Earlier on July 5, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman - while announcing the Union Budget 2019 - had mentioned the government's scheme to road connectivity around villages of the country and allocated Rs 80,250 Crore for last five years. With this development, the government aims consolidation of routes and major rural links connecting habitations through Gramin Agricultural Markets (GrAMs), higher secondary schools as well as hospitals. Union Budget 2019 Key Highlights: Nirmala Sitharaman’s Maiden Budget Advocates Push for Agrarian Sector, Women Empowerment & Education; Here’s the Full List

Along with this, the PMGSY-III's main motto is to facilitate easy and faster movement to and from the GrAMs, schools and hospitals. Maintenance of these roads is also included. Among the most prominent feature of PMGSY-III includes that the Centre would provide Rs 53,800 crore, while state’s share of Rs 26,450 crore in the estimated cost of Rs 80,250 crore for construction of the road.

The parameters for selection of the road to be constructed would be measured on population served, market, educational as well as medical facilities and accordingly sum would be disbursed. Not only the roads, but the bridges up to 150 metres across the plain areas and 200 metres in the Himalayan and Northeastern States have been proposed by CCEA. This has been modified against existing provisions of 75 metre and 100 metres in plain areas and Northeastern, Himalayan states respectively.

Apart from all these formalities and Union Cabinet decision, the states will have to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) before the launch of PMGSY-III to get adequate funds. The amount would be disbursed for the maintenance of roads constructed under the PMGSY scheme, post its five-year construction maintenance period.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 10, 2019 06:35 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).