The move is part of the 100-day agenda of the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD).

The Centre plans to launch the fourth phase of its flagship rural road scheme, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), to connect 50,000 habitations having population above 250 in plain areas and and 100 in special category states with all-weather roads, The Indian Express has learnt.

As per MoRD sources, the proposal to connect these 50,000 habitations under the PMGSY-IV is of Rs 1.9 lakh crore, of which Rs 1.3 lakh crore will be the central share and the remaining 60,000 crore will be contributed by states. This will give a big push to capital expenditure in the rural economy, the sources said.

The sources said these habitations will be identified based on Census 2011 data.

Emphasis will be on improved connectivity to villages and habitation within 50 km of national highways network, sources said. Besides, the focus will be on improved access to rural growth centres/clusters both in the farm and non-farm sectors.

It is learnt the Ministry has started the process to get Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) approval. A draft EFC note was circulated on May 28 for interministerial comments and some of the ministries concerned have shared their views. Now, the proposal will be sent to the Union Cabinet for approval. It is learnt that the ministry is preparing to seek Cabinet approval for the PMGSY-IV during the first 100 days of the NDA government.