Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojna  -III was launched in 2019 for the consolidation of 1,25,000 Km Through Routes and Major Rural Links connecting habitations, inter alia, to Gramin Agricultural Markets (GrAMs), Higher Secondary Schools and Hospitals. The original timeline for the completion of PMGSY-III was set for March 2025. However, based on requests received from various States and Union Territories, the Government has approved an extension of the timeline till March 2026 for the completion of ongoing projects. Out of the total target length of 1,25,000 km, a total of 1,22,393 km of road length has been sanctioned, and 1,01,623 km (83%) of the total target length has been constructed as on 01.12.2025 under PMGSY-III across the country.

The expansion of rural roads under PMGSY-III has significantly improved access to schools, health centres, and agricultural markets, leading to major changes for rural families such as increased economic opportunities, reduced mortality rates, and better overall quality of life. Key improvements include easier access for both people and goods to markets, enhanced health service availability with fewer deaths and more institutional deliveries, and greater opportunities for education. PMGSY III roads are expected to lead to improved school enrollments, better delivery of health facilities and give a boost to employment in both farm and non-farm sectors. According to a comprehensive World Bank impact evaluation (2019) of PMGSY across several Indian states, improved rural roads led to:

• 10% increase in school enrollment for girls,
• 7% rise in visits to health facilities,
• and a 15% increase in the proportion of households engaged in non-agricultural employment.

An evaluation study on PMGSY-III has been entrusted to the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER). However, various independent evaluation studies conducted on PMGSY per se so far have concluded that it has improved access to education and health care facilities, facilitated employment generation in both farm and non-farm sectors, helped farmers in getting better farm prices, etc. PMGSY roads have provided better education opportunities to the children, particularly the girl child, to continue their education beyond the elementary school level. Health facilities are being made accessible to people. Women have been the major beneficiaries, with increase in number of institutional deliveries in government hospitals, their enhanced participation in financial decision-making, and improved market accessibility. This scheme also addresses the various Sustainable Development Goals on poverty alleviation.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Rural Development Shri Kamlesh Paswan in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

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