Monjita Sarkar 
On Friday, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan handed over the approval letter for Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY-IV) to the Chief Minister of Odisha, Mohan Charan Majhi. The launch ceremony held in Rayagada served as a platform for the unveiling of a series of transformative initiatives aimed at strengthening rural connectivity, housing, irrigation, livelihoods, drinking water facilities, women empowerment and farmers’ prosperity across the state.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced that 827 new roads worth Rs. 1,700 crore are to be sanctioned Under PMGSY-IV in Odisha. Under the Centre’s aegis, the double engine government launched these projects to ensure their full commitment to the holistic development of Odisha. The Union Minister stated that roads are not merely means of transportation, but lifelines for employment, education, healthcare and overall socio-economic progress.
Under the first phase of PMGSY-IV, Odisha has received approval for 827 road projects covering a total length of 1,701.84 kilometres, with an allocated budget of Rs. 1,698.04 crore. Alongside this, additional funding has been earmarked to complete previously approved but stalled road projects, ensuring that even the most isolated communities gain access to essential connectivity and broader development opportunities. He informed that Rs. 630.61 crore has been approved for completion of pending houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G).
Marking May 1st as Labour Day, the Union Minister announced that the first instalment under MGNREGA costing Rs. 868.71 crore would be released for the financial year 2026- 2027. Investments worth Rs. 30.07 crore under the Watershed Development Component- Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana 2.0 (WDC-PMKSY 2.0) were announced.
The Union Minister drew attention to several key initiatives, including self-employment training, promotion of rural livelihoods, beekeeping, goat rearing, fisheries development, animal husbandry, integrated agriculture, the adoption of scientific farming techniques, the strengthening of Self-Help Groups, and the Lakhpati Didi campaign, as vital avenues for rural economic growth. He further observed that the creation of warehouses and expanded storage facilities under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund, the establishment of seed villages, the introduction of high-quality seeds, modern farming practices, and other forward-looking measures would play a significant role in boosting the incomes of farmers across Odisha.
CM Majhi described initiatives under PMGSY-IV as playing a crucial role in connecting difficult, hilly, remote and previously unconnected inhabitants across Odisha. He further affirmed the vision of ‘Samruddha Odisha, Viksit Odisha’ which places special focus on women empowerment and youth employment. He added that infrastructure projects being undertaken in districts including Rayagada would bring transformative changes to rural life across the state.
