QR CODE TRACKING IN PMGSY

Why is News : 

• MoRD has directed all states to add QR codes on maintenance display boards of PMGSY roads.
• Aim: Enhance transparency, accountability, and public participation in rural road maintenance.

PMGSY (Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana)

• Launched: December 25, 2000 (Vajpayee Govt.)
• Objective: Connect unconnected rural habitations through all-weather roads.

Phases of PMGSY

1. Phase I (2000): Basic rural connectivity.
2. Phase II (2013): Strengthening/upgradation of existing roads.
3. RCPLWEA (2016): Focused on LWE-affected areas
4. Phase III (2019): Consolidation of existing networks.
5. Phase IV (2024–29):
   1. Approved on Sep 11, 2024.
   2. Connect 25,000 unconnected habitations.
   3. Target: 62,500 km of roads
   4. Based on population thresholds:
   5. 500+ (plains), 250+ (NE/hills/special areas), 100+ (LWE areas).

Funding Pattern

• Centrally Sponsored Scheme: 60:40 (Centre: States) after 2015–16.
• Different ratios for NE and Himalayan states.

Achievements

• Sanctioned: 8,36,850 km
• Completed: 7,81,209 km

Need for Reform in Maintenance Oversight

• Issue: No mechanism for citizen feedback on road quality.
• Past audits by National Level Monitors (NLMs) found substandard work.
• Maintenance post-construction is a state responsibility, but monitoring was top-down only.

Existing System: e-MARG

• e-MARG: Digital platform for tracking road maintenance.
• Contractors maintain roads for 5 years post-construction.
• Features:
  • Routine Inspections (RI) with geo-tagged photos.
  • Performance Evaluation (PE) on 12 parameters.
  • Bill submission and tracking.

QR Code-Based Feedback System

Launched by:

• National Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (NRIDA)

Key Features:

• Unique QR codes generated through e-MARG for each road.
• Displayed on Maintenance Info Boards.

Citizen Engagement:

• Anyone can scan the QR code with a smartphone.

Access:

• Road status and details
• Submit photos of damage
• Provide direct feedback
• Available in English + local language.

Integration into Governance:

• Citizen data integrated with Routine Inspections (RI).
• PE now enhanced using AI + Machine Learning.
• Cross-verification of public inputs by officials.

Benefits and Significance

• Increased transparency in rural infrastructure governance.
• Bridges monitoring gaps by involving real users.
• Empowers citizens as stakeholders in governance.
• Reduces over-reliance on top-down inspections
• Enhances real-time issue resolution and data-driven decision-making.

Challenges

• Digital divide in rural areas.
• QR literacy and smartphone access limitations.
• Risk of false or manipulated feedback.
• Additional workload on implementation units for cross-verification.

UPSC Relevance :  GS2Governance, e-Governance, Citizen ParticipationPublic accountability, participatory governance GS3Infrastructure, Technology in GovernanceRural infrastructure, AI/ML in evaluation UPSC Mains Question (GS2/GS3)“Digital innovations like QR codes and AI in schemes like PMGSY are making governance more citizen-centric. Discuss the significance and challenges of such participatory technologies in rural development.”