Bhubaneswar: Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan will visit Odisha on May 1 to launch the fourth phase of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY-IV), aimed at expanding rural road connectivity in the state, officials said on Thursday.
The Union Minister will attend a programme at IACR Ground in Barijhola area of Rayagada, where he will formally roll out PMGSY-IV in the presence of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
Under the new phase, as many as 827 road projects covering 1,701.84 km will be taken up at an estimated cost of Rs 1,698.04 crore. The initiative is expected to provide all-weather road connectivity to 898 habitations, many of which will be linked for the first time.
Officials said the expanded connectivity will improve access to schools, healthcare facilities, markets and other essential services in remote areas, while also boosting local trade, employment opportunities and overall socio-economic development.
During the event, Chouhan will hand over the PMGSY-IV approval letter to Majhi. The two leaders will jointly inaugurate projects, lay foundation stones and felicitate beneficiaries.
Odisha’s Rural Development, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Minister Rabi Narayan Naik, along with other public representatives and senior officials from the Centre and the state government, will also attend the programme.
Officials highlighted that Odisha has made significant progress under PMGSY so far, with 17,963 roads spanning 74,725 km and 707 bridges sanctioned across phases. Of these, 17,760 roads covering 71,742 km and 658 bridges have already been completed.
The May 1 programme is expected to further accelerate rural infrastructure development in the state and aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of inclusive growth and a “Viksit Bharat”, officials added.
