Fourth phase of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY-IV) launched in Rayagada
Dr.Badal Tah,Odishabar
Associate editor
Raygada, May 1: The handover ceremony of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana(PMGSY)-4 was held in Rayagada last Friday. In the presence of Chief Minister of Odisha Mohan Charan Majhi and Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, State Rural Development, Panchayat Raj and Drinking Water Resources Minister Rabi Narayan Nayak, this event was solemnised in JSCo ground near GIACR college. Chouhan said that the road infrastructure formed a fundamental pillar of rural development.
Chouhan handed over the sanction letters of 827 new PMGSY-4 in 8 districts to Majhi during this ocassion. 274 roads will be constructed in Rayagada district, which is the highest number in Odisha. Rs. 562.10 crore will be spent for constructing roads 314 villages covering 552.21 km. This scheme will play a significant role in enabling access to economic and social cause in the district, increasing agricultural income, creating productive employment opportunities and reducing poverty.
Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), which completed 25 years in 2025, is one of India’s most impactful rural infrastructure initiatives. Launched on 25 December 2000 by the then PM Atal Behari Vajpayee, the programme aimed to connect previously unconnected rural settlements with all-weather roads. PMGSY has now emerged as a major enabler of agricultural growth, employment generation, improved access to education and healthcare, and poverty reduction. Over time, PMGSY has evolved into a major driver of socio-economic transformation, strengthening market integration, facilitating remunerative prices for farmers, and supporting farm and non-farm livelihoods, said Chouhan. Collectively, these results demonstrate the central role of the programme in advancing inclusive and sustainable rural development.
Apart from this, the Chief Minister launched many development projects in Raigarh district. Three major drinking water projects have been inaugurated in Kolnara, Muniguda and Rayagada blocks at a cost of Rs 97 crore, benefiting 98 villages. The foundation stone of 13 new infrastructure development projects has been laid in Rayagada, Kashipur, K. Singhpur, Kolnara and Muniguda blocks at an investment of Rs 104.56 crore. These road and bridge projects to be implemented by the Rural Development Department will connect remote villages with the mainstream.
The Chief Minister announced that the state government has launched ‘Mission Powar’ (Power-Water-Road) campaign to revamp the rural economy. Under this scheme, small rural villages with a population of more than 50 will be provided with paved roads, electricity and drinking water. This year, a provision of Rs 34,104 crore has been made for the Panchayati Raj Department and Rs 10,204 crore for the Rural Development Department. He expressed his firm commitment to deliver the fruits of development to the people at the bottom of the line to build a prosperous and developed Odisha by 2036.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister recalled the words of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, and said, “The soul of India resides in the villages. If our villages do not develop, then the development of the country is not possible. Good rural transport system is the basic basis of social and economic growth.” He added, “When the road reaches the villages, many avenues of development automatically open up. Therefore, this scheme will act like a lifeline for the villages and open new directions of development.” He reiterated that the Odisha government is committed to fulfilling the vision of former Prime Minister Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
A robust three-tier inspection system will be implemented to maintain cleanliness and quality standards in road construction. For the financial year 2026-27, a special provision of Rs 550 crore has been made in the budget for road maintenance. In addition, Rs 150 crore received as ‘Incentive’ from the Central Government will also be used for the repair of old roads. Through the new campaign of the state government ‘Mission Powar’ (Power-Water-Road), every small village and hamlet with a population of more than 50 will be connected by paved roads. This year, 9,700 km of new roads and 350 new bridges will be constructed.
While Commissioner -cumSecretary Yamini Sadangi welcomed the dignitaries on &off the dais, District Collector Asutosh Kulkarni offered vote of thanks. The district administrationmade all efforts to make the visit of the Chief Minister and the Union Minister a success. District Chief Development Officer-cum-Executive Officer Akshay Kumar Khemundu, Sub-Collector Ramesh Kumar Jena, Executive Engineer Prasanna Kumar Patnaik and other district level officers were present and supervised the event.
