Impact Evaluation of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)

Rural connectivity plays a pivotal role in driving socio-economic transformation in agrarian economies like India, where access to markets, essential services, and institutional infrastructure remains limited in many regions. In this context, the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), launched in 2000, stands as a flagship rural road development programme aimed at providing all-weather road connectivity to unconnected habitations. Over the years, PMGSY has evolved through multiple phases, expanding its scope from basic connectivity to the consolidation and integration of rural roads with larger economic and social frameworks.

Recognising the need for a comprehensive and updated evaluation of the programme’s long-term impact, the National Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (NRIDA), Ministry of Rural Development, has entrusted this study to the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER). The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) in achieving its core aim of providing all-weather road connectivity to unconnected rural habitations. The study aims to assess the program’s contribution to rural economic development, poverty alleviation, and livelihood enhancement—particularly in the agriculture sector—through improved access to markets, education, healthcare, and other essential services. It also seeks to identify notable changes in rural livelihoods, examine improvements in transportation efficiency, assess reductions in urban migration, and analyze the scheme’s alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (particularly SDG 9). Additionally, the study will evaluate the quality and sustainability of PMGSY roads in comparison to those constructed under other schemes.

While past studies have highlighted several positive outcomes of PMGSY—such as improved market access, adoption of modern agricultural practices, better health and education access, and shifts in migration patterns—the findings have often been mixed and region-specific. Furthermore, as rural India continues to face emerging challenges such as increasing vehicular traffic, climate change, and socio-economic shifts, an updated and comprehensive evaluation becomes essential. This study, therefore, seeks to generate robust, evidence-based insights into the tangible and intangible outcomes of PMGSY. These insights will not only inform future policy directions but also contribute to enhancing the effectiveness, resilience, and sustainability of rural infrastructure development across India.