Govt Extends PMGSY-III Deadline; 83 Per Cent Of Road Target Completed

08 Dec 2025 CW Team

Of the total 125,000 km target, 122,393 km has been sanctioned and 101,623 km — equivalent to 83 per cent of the target — had been constructed across the country as of 1 December 2025.

The expansion of rural road networks under PMGSY-III has significantly improved access to education, healthcare and agricultural markets. The scheme has delivered transformative benefits for rural households, including increased economic opportunities, improved health outcomes and enhanced quality of life. Better connectivity has enabled easier movement of goods and people, increased institutional health services and expanded opportunities for schooling.

According to a 2019 World Bank impact evaluation covering several Indian states, improved rural roads resulted in:

a 10 per cent rise in school enrolment for girls,

a 7 per cent increase in visits to health facilities, and

a 15 per cent rise in households engaged in non-agricultural employment.

An evaluation of PMGSY-III is under way by the National Council of Applied Economic Research. Previous independent studies on PMGSY have consistently found improvements in access to education and healthcare, enhanced employment generation in both farm and non-farm sectors, better farm-gate prices for agricultural producers and greater continuation of education for girls beyond primary levels.

Women in particular have benefited through increased institutional deliveries in government hospitals, improved access to markets and greater participation in household financial decisions. The scheme also advances several Sustainable Development Goals related to poverty reduction and inclusive development.

This information was provided by the Minister of State for Rural Development, Shri Kamlesh Paswan, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana–III (PMGSY-III), launched in 2019, aims to upgrade and consolidate 125,000 km of through routes and major rural links connecting habitations to Gramin Agricultural Markets, higher secondary schools and hospitals. Although the scheme was originally slated for completion by March 2025, the Government has extended the timeline to March 2026 following requests from various States and Union Territories. Of the total 125,000 km target, 122,393 km has been sanctioned and 101,623 km — equivalent to 83 per cent of the target — had been constructed across the country as of 1 December 2025. The expansion of rural road networks under PMGSY-III has significantly improved access to education, healthcare and agricultural markets. The scheme has delivered transformative benefits for rural households, including increased economic opportunities, improved health outcomes and enhanced quality of life. Better connectivity has enabled easier movement of goods and people, increased institutional health services and expanded opportunities for schooling. According to a 2019 World Bank impact evaluation covering several Indian states, improved rural roads resulted in: a 10 per cent rise in school enrolment for girls, a 7 per cent increase in visits to health facilities, and a 15 per cent rise in households engaged in non-agricultural employment. An evaluation of PMGSY-III is under way by the National Council of Applied Economic Research. Previous independent studies on PMGSY have consistently found improvements in access to education and healthcare, enhanced employment generation in both farm and non-farm sectors, better farm-gate prices for agricultural producers and greater continuation of education for girls beyond primary levels. Women in particular have benefited through increased institutional deliveries in government hospitals, improved access to markets and greater participation in household financial decisions. The scheme also advances several Sustainable Development Goals related to poverty reduction and inclusive development. This information was provided by the Minister of State for Rural Development, Shri Kamlesh Paswan, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

Infrastructure Transport

01 Jun 2026

MMRDA advances 250 m on Orange Gate–Marine Drive tunnel

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has completed 250 m of underground tunnelling for the Orange Gate–Marine Drive Urban Road Tunnel using India’s largest slurry shield tunnel boring machine (TBM) deployed for an urban road project.The project involves twin tunnels extending over 7 km beneath critical transport corridors, including Central Railway, Western Railway and Metro Line 3. The work requires high-precision engineering to navigate densely developed urban infrastructure.Once completed, the tunnel is expected to reduce travel time between Orange Gate and Marin..

Infrastructure Urban

01 Jun 2026

Hindustan Zinc Pays Rs 188.46 Billion in FY26

Hindustan Zinc contributed Rs 188.46 billion to the public exchequer in FY 2025-26, according to its 9th Tax Transparency Report. The contribution, equivalent to 46 per cent of the company’s revenue, included direct and indirect taxes, government royalties, dividends to the Government of India, withholding taxes and other statutory levies.The company’s five-year cumulative contribution to the exchequer stood at Rs 915.72 billion. In FY26, Hindustan Zinc reported revenue of Rs 408.44 billion, EBITDA of Rs 221.62 billion and profit after tax of Rs 138.32 billion. It also achieved its highest..

Infrastructure Urban

01 Jun 2026

World of Concrete India 2026 Opens in Mumbai

Informa Markets in India will host the 12th edition of World of Concrete India 2026 from 3–5 June 2026 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai. The specialised B2B exhibition will bring together manufacturers, suppliers, contractors, developers, architects, consultants, infrastructure companies, project leaders and government stakeholders.The event is expected to feature over 350 brands and more than 18,000 trade professionals. It will cover concrete and cement, dry mortar, precast technologies, formwork, construction chemicals, industrial and commercial flooring, scaffolding, safety solutio..