Telangana Seeks More PMGSY Funds For Tribal Road Connectivity, Says Minister Seethakka

Telangana Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Danasari Anasuya Seethakka has urged the Centre to sanction additional road projects under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) , with special focus on improving connectivity in remote tribal and forest regions of the state.

Speaking at the southern states’ regional review meeting on PMGSY held in Hyderabad, the minister highlighted the urgent need for better rural road infrastructure in tribal districts and sought greater financial and administrative support from the Union government.

The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Union Rural Development Ministry, including Joint Secretary Atithi Singh , along with representatives from the National Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (NRIDA) , engineers-in-chief, and officials from southern states.

Seethakka said the PMGSY scheme has played a crucial role over the last 25 years in improving access to education, healthcare, employment opportunities, and essential services in rural areas. However, she pointed out that while the Centre earlier funded the programme entirely, states are now required to bear 40 per cent of the project cost , placing a heavy financial burden on them.

She requested the Centre to reconsider the funding pattern and restore the earlier system of 100 per cent central assistance , particularly for states with geographically difficult and economically backward regions.

The minister also raised concerns over delays in road construction works in tribal districts such as Mulugu, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Adilabad, and Asifabad , stating that permissions linked to forest and wildlife protection laws were slowing down development projects. She said even the upgrading and reconstruction of damaged rural roads and culverts were facing hurdles because of regulatory clearances.

According to Seethakka, recent changes in forest regulations were adversely affecting the development of tribal communities by delaying critical infrastructure projects. She appealed for special relaxations and faster approvals for road works in remote areas.

The minister further informed the meeting that the Telangana government is implementing the Hybrid Annuity Model for rural road maintenance while adopting modern technology to ensure better construction quality.

She also sought approval for more roads under the upcoming PMGSY-IV phase to improve connectivity to markets, schools, and hospitals across rural Telangana.

Responding to the state’s concerns, Union Rural Development Ministry Joint Secretary Atithi Singh assured that the issues related to funding and forest clearances would be brought to the attention of the Centre. She said the ministry would examine possible solutions, including special permissions, to speed up pending infrastructure works in tribal areas.