RAS question
How many additional habitations will be connected under PMGSY Phase-IV?
Correct answer: (B) 25,000.
PMGSY Phase-IV will connect 25,000 additional rural habitations with all-weather road connectivity.
Explanation
PMGSY Phase-IV is planned for FY 2024-25 to 2028-29, and its core target is new all-weather road connectivity for 25,000 unconnected rural habitations. The PMO note confirms that the scheme will fund 62,500 km of roads, along with required bridges on these new connectivity roads, with a total outlay of Rs. 70,125 crore. That is why 25,000 is the correct answer: it is the habitation-coverage target, not the road length, outlay, or a rounded expansion figure. The existing scheme background also notes that earlier PMGSY phases had completed 1,63,665 roads spanning 6.25 lakh km and 7,210 bridges, which frames Phase-IV as a further connectivity push.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) 10,000 understates the notified Phase-IV target, which is 25,000 unconnected habitations.
- (C) 50,000 doubles the actual habitation target and is not the figure given for PMGSY Phase-IV.
- (D) 1,00,000 is far above the stated Phase-IV coverage target of 25,000 additional habitations.
Concept
This tests rural infrastructure and government scheme targets under Indian Economy. RAS often asks such figures because road connectivity schemes link public expenditure, rural development and service access.