01-08-2025
Maharashtra govt forms high-level committee to strengthen farm and village roads
The state government has set up a 23-member high-level committee to strengthen farm and village roads to tackle the challenges faced by farmers in transporting agricultural produce.
Chaired by Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, the committee aims to resolve long-standing issues caused by inadequate rural road infrastructure.
This initiative follows a commitment made by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis during the monsoon session of the Legislative Assembly on July 11.
The committee, headed by Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, comprises Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Jayakumar Gore, Maharashtra Minister for Employment Guarantee Scheme Bharatshet Gogawale, MoS Ashish Jaiswal, five members of the Legislative Assembly, seven special invitee members and seven senior officials. It is tasked with submitting a comprehensive report within one month to ensure time-bound reforms.
According to Bawankule, 'The objective is to provide good and accessible rural infrastructure to make life better for farmers and agriculture sector.'
The committee's aims and objectives are to focus on:
1) Reviewing the Matoshri Pandhan Road Scheme to address its shortcomings.
Studying successful farm road schemes in Nagpur, Amravati and Latur districts.
3) Implementing recommendations from the committee chaired by the Commissioner of Land Records, Maharashtra.
4) Assessing the need for a dedicated accountant head for farm road schemes.
5) Evaluating funding convergence under existing schemes, including specific accounting heads and required financing.
6) Proposing measures to strengthen all farm and village roads within five years to ensure seamless transport of agricultural produce.
7) Recommending the appropriate department to implement the scheme.
The committee is empowered to invite experts and retired officers as special invitees and to make additional recommendations beyond its defined scope, ensuring a comprehensive approach to rural road infrastructure development.
With the increasing mechanization of agriculture, robust farm roads are essential for efficient sowing, harvesting, and transportation of produce to markets. Poor road conditions have long hindered farmers' productivity. This initiative aims to enhance rural connectivity, boost agricultural efficiency, and improve farmers' livelihoods.
