The PWD of Mandi district bagged the top position and Himachal Pradesh secured the second position at the national level for successfully implementing the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY). The PMGSY is a programme funded by the Centre to connect habitations having population of more than 250 in the state. The Union Ministry of Rural Development has declared the list of the top performing 30 districts for implementing the PMGSY programme in India.

• Mandi district has received the top position for constructing roads of the maximum length in 2020-21.
• Seven more districts of Himachal Pradesh have also secured positions among the top 30 best-performing districts. They are Chamba, Shimla, Kangra, Una, Sirmaur, Hamirpur and Solan. Himachal Pradesh has also improved its performance by constructing 1,104-km roads from April till date.

 Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).
 

• Launched on: 25th December, 2000.
• Objective: To provide connectivity, by way of an all-weather road to unconnected habitations.
• Eligibility: Unconnected habitations of designated population size (500+ in plain areas and 250+ in North-Eastern States, Himalayan States, Deserts and Tribal Areas as per 2001 census) in the core network for uplifting the socio-economic condition of the rural population.
• An Unconnected Habitation is one with a population of designated size located at a distance of at least 500 metres or more (1.5 km of path distance in case of Hills) from an All-weather road or a connected Habitation.
• Core Network: It is that minimal Network of roads (routes) that is essential to provide Basic access to essential social and economic services to all eligible habitations in the selected areas through at least single all-weather road connectivity.
• Latest Funding Pattern: The fund allocation to states has been made in subsequent years commensurate with the value of projects sanctioned to states.
• The Union Government bears 90% of the project cost in respect of projects sanctioned under the scheme in North-Eastern and Himalayan States, whereas for other states the Union Government bears 60% of the cost.
• Construction of Rural Roads: The Rural Roads constructed under the PMGSY will be in accordance with the provision of the Indian Roads Congress (IRC).
• IRC is the Apex Body of Highway Engineers in the country.
• The IRC was set up in 1934.