Parliamentary panel flags poor quality of rural roads built under central scheme

The Standing Committee on Rural Development and Panchayati Raj presented its report in the Lok Sabha on Thursday, highlighting issues related to the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY). The panel expressed concern over contractors underbidding by 25–30 percent during the tender process, a practice that was described as having a negative impact on the quality of road construction.

“This approach undermines the scheme’s effectiveness,” the report reads. The panel recommended that the Department of Rural Development (DoRD) establish a mechanism requiring contractors to set aside an amount equivalent to the difference between the minimum bidding amount and their quoted price. This amount would be held as security and released only after the constructed roads meet stipulated quality standards.

The report noted that roads built under PMGSY often do not meet required norms and that the quality of materials is compromised. While these roads may last the mandated five-year warranty period, their condition deteriorates soon after, exacerbated by poor maintenance.

“There are provisions for road maintenance in the guidelines, but these are not strictly followed,” the report stated. It added that monitoring mechanisms for maintenance remain inadequate, further affecting the durability of the roads.

The committee identified two primary concerns — construction quality and maintenance — and emphasised that both require strict regulation. It called for better coordination with nodal agencies and improved monitoring to ensure proper maintenance after construction.

The panel also raised an issue related to rural connectivity projects. It was observed that roads often reach the outskirts of villages but fail to connect the main habitation areas, leaving many communities, particularly smaller settlements known as Majras or Tolas, without access.

“In some cases, roads are counted as achievements, but they fail to provide meaningful connectivity,” the report noted. The committee recommended a review of the policy to ensure that roads built under PMGSY reach the actual habitation areas rather than stopping at the periphery.