The report “PMGSY- India Rural Road Development- Experience and Looking Ahead” has been prepared by the World Bank Transport Global Practice of the World Bank Group. The study was supported by the National Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (NRIDA) and the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD).

India is adopting new technologies day by day on a larger scale in the construction of roads. Old technologies are used in construction involving certain specified construction materials which primarily involve the usage of good-quality soil and aggregate. The only reason that conventional technology holds good on to its users is its awareness among all. Thus, for the induction of new technology, its awareness and engineering advantages must be disseminated among various stakeholders. Conventional technology has shown various drawbacks such as excessive use of natural resources, rapid depletion of aggregate,–sufficient durability, poor riding quality, long hauls of construction material, and excessive pollution, to mention a few.

The objective of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna (PMGSY) has been to provide all-weather good connectivity to the desired habitations across the country by construction of new roads as well as the upgradation of existing roads. Most of the rural roads are low-volume roads. Low-volume roads carry a variety of farm-to-market and passenger vehicles, often with heavy loads and high tire pressure, and serve as lifelines for many villages and towns across the country. However, in most cases, such roads are surfaced with a thin layer of bituminous mix, which can easily be damaged under traffic and the impact of the environment, heat, and moisture.

The Surface Dressing work consists of the application of an appropriate grade of bitumen/emulsion on a previously prepared base followed by the application of a coat of aggregates as cover material of appropriate size, grading, and well-rolled. Surface Dressing does not enhance the structural strength, nor does it restore the riding quality of a surface having large surface irregularities but it is highly effective in waterproofing the road.

This consists of a concrete overlay of thickness greater than 100 mm and less than 200 mm, usually designed and constructed with consideration of the bond between the concrete overlay and the underlying bituminous surface (bonding consideration is not mandatory in all cases). In this type of White topping, high-strength concrete with fibers is commonly used and joints are provided at a shorter spacing of 1m to 1.25 m. This is also known as paneled concrete. It can also be laid on a new water-bound macadam (WBM) or wet-mix macadam (WMM) layer.