The government has approved a budget of over Rs 8.16 billion (bn) for repairing and constructing rural roads in Uttar Pradesh, boosting rural infrastructure development. Of the total budget, Rs 4.89 bn will be provided by the Centre, while the state government will contribute Rs 3.27 bn, according to senior officials in the rural development department. The project will be undertaken under the PM Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), launched in 2000 to provide all-weather road connectivity to unconnected rural habitations with a population of 500 or more. The new allocation reflects the BJP-led government’s increased focus on rural areas, where it seeks to strengthen its influence. Uttar Pradesh has been the top performer under the scheme for the last four years.

In the on-going fiscal year (2024-25), Uttar Pradesh accounted for 2,094 km out of the 8,695 km of rural roads constructed nationwide under PMGSY—the highest among all states. Other states benefiting from the scheme include Rajasthan (851 km), Bihar (773 km), Maharashtra (685 km), Jammu and Kashmir (574 km), Jharkhand (514 km), Himachal Pradesh (446 km), and Odisha (427 km).

In previous years, Uttar Pradesh achieved 6,799 km of rural road construction in 2023-24, 5,011 km in 2022-23, and 3,368 km in 2021-22, as per records. The newly approved allocation represents the second tranche of the budget, which aims to enhance road connectivity in rural areas of the state.

The UP Rural Road Development Agency (UPRRDA) has been instructed to begin projects only after technical verification and securing undisputed land. The state government also emphasised issuing completion certificates once the projects are finished, ensuring accountability in implementation.