Srinagar, August 8, 2025 – Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh have achieved an impressive 99.6% coverage under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), a flagship rural infrastructure program, marking a significant milestone in rural connectivity. According to official data presented in the Lok Sabha by Union Minister of Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan, 2,132 out of 2,140 sanctioned habitations in Jammu & Kashmir and 64 out of 65 in Ladakh have been connected with all-weather roads, ensuring near-total coverage despite challenging geographic and climatic conditions.
Launched to provide all-weather road connectivity to unconnected rural habitations, PMGSY has transformed access to remote and tribal areas in these Union Territories, which were previously isolated from mainstream development. The program targets habitations based on population criteria and strategic importance, with a focus on high-altitude terrains, snow-bound regions, and difficult road-building conditions. The remaining 9 habitations (8 in J&K and 1 in Ladakh) are slated for completion under PMGSY Phase IV, which began on September 11, 2024.The success of PMGSY in J&K and Ladakh underscores the government’s commitment to inclusive growth and last-mile infrastructure delivery. Phase IV prioritizes connecting backward, marginalized, and Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe-dominated areas, particularly in Aspirational Districts.
This phase integrates with other rural development initiatives to enhance access to healthcare, education, markets, and administrative services, fostering socio-economic progress in rural communities.The Ministry of Rural Development continues to leverage innovative tools like the “Gram Sadak Survey App” for surveys and monitoring, ensuring transparency and efficiency. This near-complete connectivity stands as a testament to the resilience of implementation efforts in one of India’s most strategically important regions.
