Impact of transport network on rural development: a case study of Shahpura, Dindori M.P.

Abstract

India is an agrarian economy and majority of its population (68.84%) lives in rural areas. Developing rural areas has always been a priority of any planning initiative. In view of providing all weather roads and hence increase employment opportunities for rural areas the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana was launched in the year 2000 by the Central Government. With such huge investments in rural infrastructure, especially rural road development, there is a need to study whether developing roads contributes to rural development. This study aims to assess the impact of transport network on rural development in a tehsil, where rural development is measured with the help of selected indicators like Economic, Health, Education and recreation that are quantified based on parameters (facilities).The study is based on the hypothesis that transport plays an important role in rural development. The objectives of the study are to understand and develop rural development indicators and to assess the degree of relation between transport network and rural development. The scoring for different development parameters for a village is done on the basis of distance of the corresponding facility from the village while the score for road connectivity is given on the basis of hierarchy of roads and the distance of the village from the nearest road. The data for this has been collected through secondary sources. The concept of correlation has been applied to establish degree of linkage between roads and various other facilities. Certain direct and indirect impacts on rural development which may not be possible to measure are beyond the scope of the study though changes reflected in the spatial and economic parameters in the villages have been taken into account. The results of the study suggested that there is a positive link between road connectivity and other facilities in rural areas necessary for development. The final outcome has identified gaps in existing infrastructure and located areas that need immediate attention as far as provision of infrastructure is concerned. In the end, the study helped strengthen the hypothesis and suggests that investments in rural road infrastructure indeed help to some extent in achieving overall development of villages.