Suggestions for Improvement

♤ The current mandate of PMGSY needs to be expanded to achieve universal connectivity as these roads serve as entry point for poverty alleviation and provision of access to social infrastructure such as education and health.

♤ Some rural roads could witness traffic volumes that may justify widening to intermediate or two-lane.

♤ Fiscal federalism theory would suggest that since rural roads serve as the primary redistributive tool for the government, they should continue to be funded by grants from the center.

♤ For the financing of these roads, the current CRF (Central Road Fund) accruals and RIDF (Rural Infrastructure Development Fund) of NABARD may need to be augmented.

♤ The strategy of some states to raise funds through market committee fees on agricultural produce can be emulated by other states as well. Some funds for earth work can be leveraged from MGNREGA.