Priyanka Gandhi urges Centre to expedite PMGSY works in Wayanad

Thiruvananthapuram: Congress leader and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has written to Union Minister for Rural Development, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan, urging him to expedite pending projects under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-IV (PMGSY-IV) in Wayanad district.

In her letter, Vadra highlighted that while 331 habitations without all-weather road connectivity have been identified in the district, only proposals related to 64 habitations in the Kalpetta block have so far received approval from the National Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (NRIDA). She pointed out that the Kerala State Rural Roads Development Agency has already approved all 331 roads.

However, she noted that projects covering 267 habitations spread across Sulthan Bathery, Mananthavady, and Panamaram blocks remain pending approval from the NRIDA on its Online Management, Monitoring and Accounting System (OMMAS). Emphasising the demographic significance of these areas, Vadra stated that these blocks have a considerable tribal population and reminded that PMGSY guidelines mandate prioritisation of tribal villages in aspirational blocks.

The letter also brought to light discrepancies in the system, with 25 unconnected habitations reportedly being incorrectly marked as connected in the OMMAS database. She called for a thorough review of the NRIDA’s approval process to ensure that it is more equitable and that all blocks in Wayanad are treated fairly.

Vadra further requested that district authorities be granted permission to make necessary corrections within the OMMAS software to ensure the habitation data remains accurate and up to date.

With PTI inputs