Jaipur, May 12 (IANS) Rajasthan has secured the second position nationally under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) for both the length of roads constructed and adherence to quality standards, officials said on Tuesday.

Congratulating the state on this achievement, Deputy Chief Minister and Public Works Department Minister Diya Kumari stated that Rajasthan is setting new benchmarks in road infrastructure development. She said that strong road connectivity across the state is opening new avenues for economic growth and development.

Over the past 25 years, extensive work related to the construction, widening, and strengthening of rural roads has been undertaken in Rajasthan under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana.

Under Phase I of PMGSY in Rajasthan, roads with a total length of 49,730 km were constructed, connecting 15,983 habitations with all-weather paved roads. Additionally, widening and strengthening works were carried out on 14,043 km of roads, along with the construction of 26 bridges.

Under Phase-II, aimed at enhancing rural economic connectivity and development potential, widening and strengthening works were undertaken on 401 roads covering 3,468 km, and 6 bridges were constructed. Under Phase-III, a total of 950 road projects covering 8,584.13 km have been completed for the upgradation and strengthening of routes connecting rural agricultural markets, senior secondary schools, hospitals, and other major rural link roads.

In the first package of Phase-IV, the Government of India has sanctioned Rs 2,089.37 crore for the construction of 1,216 roads covering a total length of 3,218.97 km, along with one bridge. Tenders for these projects have already been received, and execution work has commenced. The target is to complete these works within the next year.

During the Silver Jubilee celebrations organised in Sehore district by the Union Ministry of Rural Development to commemorate 25 years of PMGSY, Union Minister for Agriculture, Farmers Welfare and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, felicitated states for outstanding achievements across various categories.

–IANS

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