Nilanjan
Mukhya Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (MMGSY) is a scheme that aims to provide road connectivity to unconnected villages in various states of India. It is an extension of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), which was launched by the former prime minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, in 2000.
What is MMGSY and why is it important?
MMGSY is a scheme that provides funds to the state governments to construct and maintain rural roads in their respective states. The scheme covers villages that are not connected by all-weather roads under PMGSY or any other scheme. The main objective of MMGSY is to improve the socio-economic development of rural areas by providing better access to markets, education, health, and other services.
According to the Ministry of Rural Development, as of March 2021, there were 1,25,434 unconnected habitations in India, out of which 18,374 were covered under MMGSY. The total length of roads constructed under MMGSY till March 2021 was 1,07,949 km, benefiting 28,838 villages.
How MMGSY has transformed the lives of rural Indians
MMGSY has brought many positive changes to the lives of rural Indians who were previously isolated and deprived of basic amenities. Some of the benefits of MMGSY are:
- Increased mobility and connectivity: MMGSY has enabled rural people to travel faster and safer to nearby towns and cities for work, education, health, and other purposes. It has also facilitated the movement of goods and services between rural and urban areas, boosting the rural economy and creating employment opportunities.
- Reduced poverty and inequality: MMGSY has improved the income and living standards of rural people by increasing their access to markets, credit, government schemes, and social security. It has also reduced the gap between rural and urban areas in terms of development indicators such as literacy, health, sanitation, and electrification.
- Enhanced social empowerment and inclusion: MMGSY has empowered rural people, especially women and marginalized groups, by giving them more voice and participation in local governance and decision-making. It has also fostered social cohesion and harmony among different communities by bridging the physical and cultural distances.
Some success stories of MMGSY
To illustrate the impact of MMGSY on rural India, here are some success stories from different states:
- In Bihar, MMGSY has connected 3,534 villages with all-weather roads, benefiting 16 lakh people. One of the villages is Kharagpur in Munger district, where a 12-km road was constructed under MMGSY in 2019. The road has improved the accessibility and availability of health services for the villagers, especially pregnant women and children. It has also increased the enrollment and attendance of students in schools and colleges.
- In Rajasthan, MMGSY has connected 2,892 villages with all-weather roads, benefiting 14 lakh people. One of the villages is Kishangarh in Ajmer district, where a 7-km road was constructed under MMGSY in 2018. The road has boosted the tourism potential of the village, which is famous for its marble industry and historical monuments. It has also enhanced the livelihoods of the artisans and traders who deal in marble products.
- In Maharashtra, MMGSY has connected 2,467 villages with all-weather roads, benefiting 12 lakh people. One of the villages is Chincholi in Aurangabad district, where a 9-km road was constructed under MMGSY in 2020. The road has facilitated the irrigation and cultivation of crops such as cotton, soybean, and sugarcane for the farmers. It has also enabled the villagers to access better facilities such as banks, post offices, police stations, and courts.
Conclusion
MMGSY is a remarkable scheme that has transformed the lives of millions of rural Indians by providing them with road connectivity and development opportunities. It is a testament to the vision and commitment of the central and state governments to uplift the rural masses and make India a more inclusive and prosperous nation.
I hope you enjoyed reading this blog and learned something new about MMGSY. If you have any feedback or suggestions for me, please let me know. I would love to hear from you.
