On Friday, Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)-IV in Rayagada district, Odisha, with an investment of ₹1,698.04 crore. This initiative will see the development of 827 road projects spanning 1,701 km, aimed at providing all-weather road connectivity to 898 habitations for the first time. Chouhan emphasized that these roads are crucial for improving access to schools, hospitals, and markets, thereby fostering socio-economic development in rural areas. He highlighted the vision of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to connect every village with roads, stating that roads are lifelines for rural communities. Additionally, Chouhan announced that over ₹1.5 lakh crore will be allocated under the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) scheme to support rural livelihoods. He also mentioned that ₹630.61 crore has been sanctioned for the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), benefiting 32,516 families in Odisha, and plans for a scientific survey to enhance farmers' income through integrated farming.