Srinagar, April 28: The Ministry of Rural Development announced on Tuesday that the government has approved road projects worth approximately ₹8,000 crore for Jammu and Kashmir under the Prime Minister’s Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)-IV. This initiative aims to significantly enhance rural connectivity, agriculture, and livelihoods in the region.
Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, presented the approval letters for the projects under PMGSY-IV (Batch-II) to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah during an event at the SKICC in Srinagar.
Chouhan emphasized that securing approval for such large-scale road projects within a year is a major achievement, reflecting the government’s commitment to the development of Jammu and Kashmir.
He noted that the central government prioritized the Union Territory in both phases of PMGSY-IV. The goal extends beyond merely constructing roads; it also aims to connect remote villages and inaccessible areas to essential services like schools, hospitals, and markets, integrating them into the mainstream of development.
The minister highlighted the government’s broader vision under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, stating that the commitment is not only to build roads but also to “connect hearts.” He assured that both the hearts and doors of Delhi are open for the development of Jammu and Kashmir.
In addition to the road projects, over ₹4,568.23 crore has been sanctioned under the Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) to empower women-led self-help groups and promote rural livelihoods across 24 states and Union Territories.
Chouhan emphasized that the focus is not only on creating “lakhpati didis” (wealthy women) but also on transforming them into strong and sustainable entrepreneurs.
He also announced that a team of scientists from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research will be sent to Jammu and Kashmir to study climate, soil, water resources, and agricultural potential, developing a comprehensive roadmap for the region.
Meanwhile, CM Omar Abdullah welcomed these initiatives, describing the approval of nearly ₹8,000 crore for road projects as extraordinary. He stated that securing such a large number of projects in a single phase is crucial for a region characterized by challenging geography and a dispersed population.
Abdullah noted that previous phases of PMGSY have already improved connectivity by linking remote areas to schools, healthcare services, and markets, and he believes that Phase-IV will further assist in connecting the remaining settlements.
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