Bhubaneswar: In a major push to rural infrastructure and inclusive growth in Odisha, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday launched the fourth phase of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY-IV) in Rayagada, unveiling a slew of initiatives aimed at boosting connectivity, housing, livelihoods and rural prosperity.
Addressing a public gathering at Barijhola in Rayagada district, Chouhan said the Centre had sanctioned 827 road projects covering 1,701.84 km in Odisha under the first phase of PMGSY-IV at a cost of Rs 1,698.04 crore. He also handed over the formal approval letter of the scheme to the Chief Minister during the event.
“Roads are not merely a means of transportation but lifelines for employment, education, healthcare and socio-economic progress,” Chouhan said, adding that the government was committed to connecting even the remotest habitations to the mainstream of development.
He announced that Rs 630.61 crore has been approved for completion of pending houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana, reiterating that no poor family would be left without a pucca house.
Marking International Workers’ Day, the Union Minister also announced the release of Rs 868.71 crore as the first instalment under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act for 2026–27. In addition, projects worth Rs 30.07 crore were approved under the Watershed Development Component of PMKSY.
Highlighting the Centre’s focus on women and rural livelihoods, Chouhan referred to initiatives such as the Lakhpati Didi Scheme, promotion of self-help groups, and activities like animal husbandry, fisheries, beekeeping and plantation-based income generation to enhance earnings in rural areas.
Chief Minister Majhi, welcoming the Union Minister, said the scale of approvals reflected the Centre’s special commitment towards Odisha. He recalled that the rural roads programme was originally envisioned by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and is now being expanded under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Describing PMGSY-IV as transformative, Majhi said the scheme would significantly improve connectivity in remote, hilly and inaccessible regions of the state. He added that the government is working in mission mode towards its vision of “Samruddha Odisha, Viksit Odisha”, focusing on rural infrastructure, drinking water, farmer income and employment generation.
Odisha Rural Development, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Minister Rabi Narayan Naik also addressed the gathering. The programme saw inauguration and foundation laying of multiple development projects, besides distribution of benefits to eligible beneficiaries.
