Cabinet Extends PMGSY-III Till 2028 Raises Outlay To Rs 839.77 bn

23 Apr 2026 CW Team

The scheme will continue to concentrate on upgrading rural road networks, including through routes and major links that connect villages to Gramin Agricultural Markets, higher secondary schools and hospitals. Timelines for project execution have been extended so that roads and bridges in plain areas, and roads in hilly regions, are to be completed by March 2028. Bridges in hilly areas have been assigned a later completion date of March 2029.

Projects that were sanctioned before March 31, 2025 but not yet awarded will be eligible for tendering and execution under the extended framework. The Cabinet also approved taking up 161 long-span bridges, estimated at Rs 961 crore (Rs 9.61 bn), where those structures fall along already sanctioned road alignments. The extended window is intended to allow these pending works to proceed to award and construction.

The financial allocation for the scheme has been increased from an earlier Rs 80,250 crore (Rs 802.5 bn) to the revised figure. Officials indicated that the extension and the higher outlay are designed to ensure completion of targeted upgrades and to unlock the scheme's socio-economic benefits. Improved connectivity is expected to enhance access to markets, reduce transportation time and costs and support higher rural incomes.

The government noted that better road infrastructure will improve access to education and healthcare services in remote areas while also generating employment through construction and allied rural economic activities. The extended deadlines are intended to provide implementing agencies with greater certainty to complete complex works in challenging terrain. Administrative guidelines and tendering processes will be adjusted to reflect the new timelines.

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the prime minister, approved an extension of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-III (PMGSY-III) until March 2028 and revised the scheme's financial outlay to Rs 83,977 crore (Rs 839.77 bn). The programme had been scheduled to end in March 2025. The decision was notified in an official release. The scheme will continue to concentrate on upgrading rural road networks, including through routes and major links that connect villages to Gramin Agricultural Markets, higher secondary schools and hospitals. Timelines for project execution have been extended so that roads and bridges in plain areas, and roads in hilly regions, are to be completed by March 2028. Bridges in hilly areas have been assigned a later completion date of March 2029. Projects that were sanctioned before March 31, 2025 but not yet awarded will be eligible for tendering and execution under the extended framework. The Cabinet also approved taking up 161 long-span bridges, estimated at Rs 961 crore (Rs 9.61 bn), where those structures fall along already sanctioned road alignments. The extended window is intended to allow these pending works to proceed to award and construction. The financial allocation for the scheme has been increased from an earlier Rs 80,250 crore (Rs 802.5 bn) to the revised figure. Officials indicated that the extension and the higher outlay are designed to ensure completion of targeted upgrades and to unlock the scheme's socio-economic benefits. Improved connectivity is expected to enhance access to markets, reduce transportation time and costs and support higher rural incomes. The government noted that better road infrastructure will improve access to education and healthcare services in remote areas while also generating employment through construction and allied rural economic activities. The extended deadlines are intended to provide implementing agencies with greater certainty to complete complex works in challenging terrain. Administrative guidelines and tendering processes will be adjusted to reflect the new timelines.

Resources

13 May 2026

Anant Raj Appoints Anish Sarin as Director

Anant Raj has appointed Anish Sarin as Director on its Board, marking a key step in the company’s leadership transition and long-term growth strategy. The announcement was made during the company’s Q4 and FY26 results declaration, reflecting the induction of next-generation leadership as the company expands across real estate, cloud infrastructure and data centre businesses. Anish Sarin, grandson of veteran industrialist Ashok Sarin, represents the emerging leadership at Anant Raj. Educated at Regent’s University London, he brings a global business outlook along with a strong focus on t..

Technology

13 May 2026

Vedanta eyes AI-led value growth

Vedanta Group expects to unlock USD 300–400 million in additional value over the next three years through large-scale deployment of AI-led industrial technologies across its businesses. The group said its V-Spark DeepTech Ventures platform has already delivered nearly four times return on investment since inception.Vedanta is scaling AI, predictive analytics, Industrial Internet of Things, digital twins, machine learning, automation and connected manufacturing technologies across its metals, mining, energy and industrial operations. These deployments are aimed at improving productivity, lowe..

Infrastructure Urban

13 May 2026

Hindustan Zinc inks pact with Group Nirmal

Hindustan Zinc has signed an MoU with Group Nirmal to set up a zinc wire manufacturing facility at its Zinc Industrial Park in Khankhala, Bhilwara district, Rajasthan. The partnership will expand downstream manufacturing activity and support value-added zinc applications in India.Under the agreement, Group Nirmal will manufacture zinc wire products using Hindustan Zinc’s Special High Grade zinc. The products will cater to infrastructure, renewable energy, automotive and industrial engineering sectors.Zinc wire is used in thermal spray coating and metallising processes to protect steel struct..