Pradhan Mantri Gram Parivahan Yojana to improve rural connectivity

New Delhi, Sep 1 (IANS) In a move to give a boost to transportation in rural India, the central government is all set to bring about 'Pradhan Mantri Gram Parivahan Yojana' that will make 80,000 commercial passenger vehicles available in the villages.

These vehicles will be provided at subsidised cost and the Union Rural Development Ministry will circulate a Cabinet note on the same soon, an official source said here on Thursday.

"The scheme has been mooted as rural areas face immense shortage of passenger vehicles even as under Prime Minister Gram Sadak Yozana there has been massive improvement in rural connectivity in recent months," the source said.

The government is considering providing 10 seater passenger vehicles for the purpose, sources said, adding the services of retired defence personnel and women voluntary workers can be taken up for the same.

According to an official survey conducted by the ministry, there is a substantial demand for 10-12 seater passenger/commercial vehicles to help people connect 20 km distance.

Meanwhile, the ministry has said while 36,000 km roads were constructed in fiscal year 2015-16 under PMGSY, this financial year the target has been raised to 48,000 km.