Rural road connectivity is a foundational input for inclusive economic growth and social development. By improving physical access to markets, schools, health facilities, job opportunities, and administrative centres, rural roads act as enablers that shape livelihoods, human capital formation, and quality of life. The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), launched in 2000, represents one of the largest rural infrastructure programmes in India, with the explicit objective of providing all weather road connectivity to eligible unconnected habitations. Over successive phases, the programme has expanded from basic connectivity to consolidation, upgradation (to provide connectivity to markets, schools & hospitals) and coverage of difficult and underserved regions.