Change the compulsory width of roads under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana

3351.  DR. M.P. ABDUSSAMAD SAMADANI:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has any plan to change the compulsory width of roads under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) in Kerala;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) whether the Government is aware of the special situation in Kerala due to the scarcity of land?

(a) to (c) Rural roads under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) are constructed as per the technical specifications and geometric design standards given in the Ministry of Rural Development Specifications for Rural Roads, Rural Roads Manual of the Indian Roads Congress (IRC) (IRC-SP:20) and also, where required, the Hill Road Manual (IRC:SP:48) and other relevant IRC Codes & Manuals. In terms of the extant guidelines, the minimum required road width (formation width) should not be less than 7.5 m in case of plain / rolling terrain and 6 m in case of mountainous/ steep terrain for single lane carriage way, i.e., 3 m/3.75 m. The carriageway width of PMGSY roads are constructed based on the projected traffic in terms of Passenger Car Unit (PCU) plying on the roads. The carriageway width may be 3 m/ 3.75 m/ 5.5 m depending upon the traffic plying on the roads. The formation and roadway width are decided on the consideration of road safety. These specifications are applicable to the whole country, including the north-east and hill states. There is no plan to change the compulsory width of roads under PMGSY. The provision of land for PMGSY roads is the responsibility of the state government.

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