MP: Village roads gateways to prosperity, says Chouhan; launches PMGSY projects worth Rs 1,763 cr

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday termed village roads the ''gateways to prosperity'' while launching projects worth Rs 1,763.08 crore under the fourth phase of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY-IV) to mark the scheme's silver jubilee in Madhya Pradesh. Addressing a gathering in Bherunda in Sehore district, Chouhan, the Union minister for agriculture, farmers' welfare and rural development, spoke about road projects worth crores being undertaken in the state. Bherunda is part of the Vidisha Lok Sabha seat, being represented by Chouhan for the sixth term. ''Village roads are not just roads, but gateways to prosperity, respect, education, treatment, markets, and opportunities,'' Chouhan said. He said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, the government remains committed to transforming the lives of farmers, women, and the poor. India is rapidly progressing towards becoming a glorious, proud, self-reliant, prosperous, and developed nation under the prime minister's leadership, Chouhan said. As many as 973 roads spanning 2,117.52 km have been approved under PMGSY-IV, costing a total of Rs 1,763.08 crore, covering 987 settlements in Madhya Pradesh. Similarly, the Vidisha region has received approval for 259 roads spanning 600.393 km, benefiting 264 settlements, marking a major achievement in Chouhan's regional development agenda. The Union minister said that roads worth more than Rs 500 crore will be constructed in the Vidisha parliamentary constituency, and that his priority is to ensure that no village is left without a road. All eligible roads in Madhya Pradesh that meet the PMGSY criteria will be approved, he clarified. The former chief minister also criticised the erstwhile Congress rule, recalling broken roads and electricity shortages, while pointing out that Madhya Pradesh has now emerged as the nation's leader in rural road construction. Under PM-JANMAN, road projects, spanning 384.34 km, have been approved at a cost of Rs 261.81 crore, covering 168 settlements in the state. Additionally, of the total indicative allocation of Rs 18,907 crore for PMGSY for 2026-27, Rs 830 crore has been allocated to Madhya Pradesh, which Chouhan described as a step that will reinvigorate the state's development. During the event, Chouhan handed over a sanction of Rs 2,055 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin to Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, asserting that no poor person should remain without a permanent home. He assured that based on a new survey, eligible families will be physically verified and provided with the housing scheme benefits. Emphasising the economic empowerment of women, Chouhan said that the Lakhpati Didi Abhiyan will be further accelerated through self-help groups. The Union minister also slammed the Congress on farmer issues, stating that while the Opposition created noise, the BJP provided solutions. He assured that no eligible farmer would be treated unfairly in wheat procurement and that efforts would continue to create more beneficial mechanisms for land acquisition. Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister praised the coordinated approach between the state and the Centre on various issues. The event was also attended by Union Ministers of State Kamlesh Paswan and Dr Chandrashekhar Pemmasani, along with several state ministers and legislators. States and Union Territories with outstanding performances were honoured on the occasion.

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