The decision of the UT Level Standing Committee to give a go-ahead to Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-IV Batch-II proposals worth over Rs 16,256 crore marks a defining moment for rural infrastructure development in J&K. With more than 7,276 km of roads proposed to connect 1,626 unconnected habitations, the move once again underlines a simple but powerful truth: in Jammu and Kashmir, roads are not just infrastructure-they are lifelines. PMGSY has been one of India’s most transformative rural development programmes. Its core promise-providing all-weather road connectivity to rural habitations-has altered socio-economic landscapes across the country. In J&K, however, the significance of PMGSY is far deeper and more strategic than in most other states or UTs.
J&K is not an ordinary region. Its unique topography, ranging from plains to high mountains and snowbound passes, poses engineering challenges unseen elsewhere. Harsh weather patterns-with extreme cold in winter, heavy snowfall in higher reaches and scorching heat in parts of Jammu-make road construction and maintenance exceptionally demanding. Add to this the region’s vast size, dispersed population, linguistic and cultural diversity, and the reality of bordering multiple countries with thousands of kilometres of IB and LoC. In such a context, rural connectivity becomes not merely a developmental goal but a strategic necessity. For decades, terrorism and instability diverted attention and resources away from grassroots development. Entire rural pockets remained cut off, without motorable roads, limiting access to healthcare, education, markets and government services. Heated debates in recent Assembly sessions over missing road links are a stark reminder that even in today’s digital age, many villagers still struggle for basic connectivity. For an ordinary observer, Jammu and Kashmir may appear an unresolved riddle-but governance requires understanding every equation, and infrastructure is one of its most critical variables.
The PM Modi-led government clearly recognised this reality. Alongside decisive action to dismantle the terror ecosystem, equal emphasis has been placed on building robust infrastructure, especially roads. The success of PMGSY Phase-I stands as living proof. Hundreds of villages that were previously inaccessible on maps during winter or rainy seasons are now accessible year-round. Ambulances arrive on time, teachers and health workers can travel regularly, students attend schools without trekking for hours, and farmers can transport produce to markets without crippling losses. Improved road connectivity has also had a direct bearing on security. Better roads enable faster movement and logistics for security forces, improving response times and strengthening border management. In a region where terrain often dictates the balance between vulnerability and control, rural roads make a quiet yet decisive contribution to stability.
The newly approved PMGSY-IV Phase II proposals take this transformation to a new scale. An investment of over Rs 16,000 crore, along with dedicated maintenance and renewal costs, reflects an understanding that sustainability matters as much as construction. Last year’s floods damaged many existing roads, and the inclusion of maintenance and renewal components signals a shift from short-term fixes to long-term resilience. Importantly, the prioritisation framework-through the Comprehensive New Connectivity Priority List-factors in population, aspirational district status, Scheduled Tribe concentration and convergence with other central schemes. Border and hilly districts such as Rajouri, Poonch, Kathua, Doda, Baramulla and Kupwara have been given due weight, ensuring that the most difficult and sensitive regions are not left behind.
The economic implications are equally significant. Better roads will boost agricultural activity, horticulture and allied sectors, which form the backbone of rural livelihoods in J&K. Easier access to markets lowers input costs, improves price realisation and encourages diversification. Over time, this strengthens the rural economy, reduces migration pressure and creates local employment. The changes are already visible on the ground, and the roadmap ahead promises even more. With meticulous planning by the local administration and liberal support from the Centre, hundreds more villages are poised to see their long-cherished dream of road connectivity fulfilled.
Practically, in J&K, every kilometre of road built under PMGSY carries more than asphalt and stone-it carries hope, dignity, security and opportunity. As PMGSY moves forward, it has the potential to finally bridge decades of developmental deficit, integrating the remotest hamlets of J&K into the nation’s economic and social mainstream.
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