New Delhi
Union Minister for Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Shri Giriraj Singh has called for more efficient implementation and monitoring of the rural roads development works by the State Governments. Pointing out uneven progress of Rural Roads Infrastructure in various states, the Minister called for Janbhagidari and more transparency in the implementation of various projects under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY). He was addressing the gathering after inaugurating the 3-day International Conference on New Technologies and Innovations in Rural Roads, here.
Shri Giriraj Singh also called for initiating a Startups Challenge in the area of Refilling and Binding materials for the Rural Roads Infrastructure. Adoption of New Technology, Innovation and Ecofriendly will be the key drivers towards meeting the commitment of Zero percent Carbon Neutral emission by the year 2070 set by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, he said. Stating that PM Modi has stressed there can be no development without connectivity, – road or digital, Shri Giriraj Singh said more than seven lakh kms of road length has been laid since 2014. Besides, 3.25 lakh kms roads have been upgraded during the last three years, he said. GIS enabled data for more than 45 lakh kms road length has been compiled under the eMARG (electronic Maintenance of Rural Roads under PMGSY) project during the last three years. More than Rupees 73,000 crore has been spent, generating 66 crore mandays work during the period 2019-20 and 2021-22, he added.b
Shri Giriraj Singh said improved rural roads infrastructure helped India during the Covid crisis with agri exports contributing about 23% to India’s total exports. Even today, 70% of our population resides in the villages, he said.
