In a major push to take development to the doorstep of people in remote habitations, 158 villages and hamlets in Andhra Pradesh will receive road connectivity for the first time under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. The project carries an administrative sanction of Rs 4.22 billion (bn) and officials said it is expected to transform access to education, healthcare, markets and other essential services for thousands of residents. The scheme covers construction and bridging works across several districts. The plan provides for 146 roads covering 347 km and 19 bridges to be built, with execution assigned to the Panchayat Raj Engineering Department. An additional sanction of Rs 244.7 million (mn) has been allocated for operation and maintenance over five years. Authorities indicated that the works will follow PMGSY technical norms and standards to ensure durability and year-round usability. The initiative forms part of the Deputy Chief Minister for Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Pawan Kalyan's broader effort to extend infrastructure to the last habitation in the State. He has directed officials to maintain the highest quality standards in construction and to ensure assets created with public funds offer long-term service to communities. The administration credited central leadership and cooperation from the Union Rural Development Ministry for enabling the scheme. Habitations identified for the works are spread across Alluri Sitarama Raju, Parvathipuram Manyam, Anantapur, Sri Sathya Sai, Kurnool, Kadapa, Tirupati, Nellore, Prakasam, Palnadu, NTR, Eluru, Polavaram, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts. The initiative follows the earlier Adavi Thalli Bata programme through which road links were provided to hilltop villages in selected districts. Officials said the new roads will improve transportation in Agency areas and integrate remote communities with wider economic and social networks.