Impact of Indian Rural Road Program on Rural Development

Rural roads are key component of rural development. They affect the rural population in various ways. An estimated 35% of inhabited areas in the country are without all-weather roads. With 80% of the India’s poor living in the rural areas, rural roads are significantly important. It eases the accessibility of the rural population to essential services like education and healthcare. These roads not only improve access to near by and far off labour market but also affects the agricultural productivity. Rural roads provide access to economic and social goods and services, with a fair chance of generating increased agricultural income and productive employment (both farm and non-farm) opportunities.