In the context of the formulation of the Eleventh Five Year Plan, it has been decided to set up a Working Group on Rural Roads. The composition of the Working Group will be as follows:

(1)	Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development	Chairman
(2)	AS, Ministry of Rural Development	Member
(3)	Adviser ( Tpt ), Planning Commission	Member
(4)	Director, CRRI	Member
(5)	Representative from NRRDA	Member
(6)	Representative from Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance	Member
(7)	Representative from DONER	Member
(8)	Principal Secretary, PWD, Government of Gujarat	Member
(9)	Chief Engineer, PWD, Government of Haryana	Member
(10)	Chief Engineer, PWD, Government of West Bengal	Member
(11)	Chief Engineer, PWD, Government of Mizoram	Member
(12)	Chief Engineer, PWD, Government of Karnataka	Member
(13)	Chief Engineer, PWD, Government of Rajasthan	Member
(14)	Jt . Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development	Convenor

II. Terms of reference

1. 1. To critically review the financial and the physical progress of the development of the rural road network during the 10^th Five Year Plan, highlighting the constraints faced and the remedial actions required to be taken in the context of the preparation of the 11^th Five Year Plan.
2. 2. Keeping in view the experience acquired from PMGSY and launch of Bharat Nirman , recommend a policy framework for the development of rural roads in the 11^th Five year Plan and a perspective for the next decade beyond 11^th Plan - Vision 2021 - taking cognizance of various issues, including inter- alia the following:
   1. need for providing connectivity with a view to improving accessibility ;
   2. need for enhancing the capacities of various implementing agencies in order to achieve time targets;
   3. prioritization of development work in view of a large number of deficiencies in the existing rural roads network with a view to consolidating the network;
   4. need for maintenance and preservation of existing assets;
   5. need for creating an environment conducive to public private partnerships, in view of the increasing role of private sector ;
   6. need for upgradation of technology in order to improve quality of construction of rural roads and reduce construction time;
   7. energy conservation and environment protection.
3. To formulate a programme for development of rural roads for the Eleventh Five Year Plan indicating monitorable physical targets, financial outlays and their yearwise phasing during this Plan period. While formulating the Plan, various aspects should be examined including inter- alia the requirement to provide essential road links to rural areas in the country in a cost effective manner, existing deficiencies of road system and remedial measures and the need for integrating backward and remote areas particularly the north-east and tribal areas with the rest of the country.
4. To review the existing arrangements, including the availability of resources from Central Road Fund, for funding the development of rural roads and suggest innovative measures for augmentation of resources both for construction and maintenance of rural roads.
5. To review the existing norms and criteria for maintenance and repairs for rural roads, assess actual requirement of funds for each year of the Eleventh Plan and recommend measures to meet such requirements.
6. To review the type of machinery and material presently being used in  rural   road  construction  and  maintenance  and  suggest improvements , including steps needed for growth of road equipment industry in the country in order to deliver quality output in a time bound manner.
7. To review the existing manpower training arrangements at the Central and State level and suggest improvements, keeping in view the need for construction of quality rural roads in a time bound manner.
8. To review the status of various implementing agencies involved in the development and maintenance of rural roads in terms of their capability to deliver timely outputs and to recommend measures, including outsourcing and institutional for enhancing capacities of the States.
9. To suggest measures for effectively monitoring the progress of construction and maintenance of rural roads. Also to evolve a mechanism to ensure that funds allocated for maintenance of roads in the 12^th Finance Commission are optimally utilised .
10. To review the status of domestic construction industry in terms of its capability to absorb, utilize and augment the technology being presently used timely for rural road construction.
11. To examine any other matter considered important by the Working Group.

III. The Chairman of the Working Group may co-opt officials or non-officials as Members and constitute sub-groups, if considered necessary. Representatives nominated, if any, by the Central Ministries/ Organisation should not be below the level of Joint Secretary.

IV. The non-official Members of the Working Group will be paid TA/DA at the rates applicable for Grade-I officers of the Central Government for attending meetings of the Working Group.

V. The Working Group will submit its report to the Planning Commission by 30th September, 2006.