Roads are just like the arteries or veins of the human beings, which circulates the blood essential for the survival of the human beings to various parts of the body. If the blood does not reach any part of the body then that part just numbs down and stops functioning. In the same way the roads circulates and brings the developmental wave to the villages, without which they were devoid of being in the mainstream. Road in a broader sense bring prosperity and overall change and upliftment in rural areas by providing a connection to the outer world. Road also brings an overall change in the outlook of the villagers by bringing them out of their closed cocoon and brings a ray of light into the sleepy, unconnected and rather neglected village. The people of these villages who actually were restricted in fulfilling their goals due to dearth of opportunities, with regard to self-development and the overall village development, could only compare their poor development to the villages that were connected. They could only dream of the opportunities and the development. The PMGSY roads is likely to usher a new ray of hope, which could be instrumental in the development of the villagers and the villages of the rural Himachal Pradesh.
The Impacts have been analysed quantitatively as well as qualitatively and the key findings of the study are being provided in the following paragraphs. The first impression is that the roads are certainly acting as a carrier of growth, prosperity and development to the villages. Though it is only a year or two since the roads have been completed, some positive impacts though of varying degree have been noticed. The impacts ascertained are both with the long term as well as in the short-term perspective.
Initiation/ Boost of Thought Process
It could be broadly said that the PMGSY has given a boost to the developmental process and has provoked a thought process in the villagers to do something, which they used to dream but they were handicapped to do. The filed study gives a fair picture of this because in almost all villages visited one could find instances or cases in which the people have started to reap the benefits of the roads resulting in some increase in earnings and there-by social status. What ever it may be, even a small initiation, can have a spiraling effect on the individual, household, the village and the region as a whole. This is what has happened in the village Beth Upreli in the gujjars basti. This is one of the best example of the short term but substantiate benefit accruing to the people. Before the road none of the people were doing any kind of dairy activity. People were aware of the potential of the dairy activity because of the excessive demand in Baijnath, but they were not able to encase on this, though they were having enough number of cattle. But after the road was constructed 2-3 people started the dairy business and started supplying milk to the various restaurants, hotels, etc. Seeing the success of these people other gujjars also started supplying the milk directly to the market at very competitive price and good quality (quality was maintained due to faster and easier access to the market through availability of local conveyance at their door step, which earlier was not possible.).
Connectivity
One of the important impact has been on connecting the people to the outer world. Thought they were not living in oblivion but certainly their connectivity has been increased many folds. Many of the respondents expressed better connectivity and all the year round connectivity even during the rains (as per almost 98% of respondents). This has been due to the provision of effective transport activities (as per almost 56% of respondents). Further the connectivity has had an effect on the social front, economic front, gender mainstreaming and participation in the PRI activities (mitigating the Sarpanch Pati symbol), access to services, increased movement of the government officials, faster settlement of court cases, easy access to the officials of various departments including law, police, doctors, rural development etc. The connectivity has a significant impact on the time to travel which has steeply decreased from 2-3 hours to 15-20 minutes to half an hour, though it seems to be low but in the actual analysis and sense for a villager it means much because earlier he could make only one round in a day to the nearby town, that too on foot, to avail the employment opportunity and if he could not get the day went off without any income, but now he pays some charges from his village and can easily come back home (also in the cases of extreme emergency they can reach fast and attend to any eventualities, which was earlier not possible) or go to other place for getting employment.
The key findings of the impact of PMGSY in the state of Himachal Pradesh have been segregated indicator wise in the following paragraphs. However, the details of the findings are given in tabular form, attached alongwith as Annexure 7.17 and 7.18.
Impact on Agriculture & Allied Activities
The PMGSY has impacted agriculture and allied activities in a very positive sense. Though we can easily say that in short term of 1-2 years there is certainly increase (as per almost 60% of respondents in Una and 42% in Kangra) in the awareness, availability and access of fertilizers, seeds, pesticides, etc., there is also an increase in agriculture production due to better availability of inputs (as per almost 65% of respondents), there is also an increase in access of the agriculture and horticulture markets (as per almost 70% of respondents), there is also an increase in dairy production (as per almost 75% of respondents). Due to the easy access to the markets (as per almost 85% of respondents), saving in time of travel (as per almost 80% of respondents) and reduction in cost of transportation of goods (as per almost 60% of respondents), there is a significant change in the cropping pattern since most of the people are also resorting to horticulture and vegetable production. On the aspect of increase in tractors and agriculture vehicles and motorized implements in agriculture, use of harrow in farming which saves time & labour resulting lower cost of production, their seems to be a split in the sense that almost 50% respondents are in concurrence and the rest are in negation of this fact, this could be due to the non accessibility of the resources or funds from the banks or other lending institutions. Also their does not seem to be an immediate impact on the change in, multiple cropping, poultry production, etc as they may accrue in the long term by increased agriculture extension and interventions from the KVKs, Agriculture universities and the agriculture department. Agriculture produces are now easily transported in the destination-market and farmers are able to yield a better-price. Prior to the construction, the capacity of the vehicles dwindled and agriculture/ horticulture produce could not be transported in one-go, and at times due to hindrance there was problem in transporting perishable produce. Further the farmers have expanded the cultivable land for horticulture production and encase the same.
Impact on Employment
The first impression on the employment is that there is certainly an increase in the overall employment opportunities (as per almost 55% of respondents) in the non-farm category but on the on farm category there seems to be not much effect may be because of the better remunerations available in the off farm activities, the seasonal nature of the on farm employment and availability of local labour at high rates. Though the availability of low cost labour has increased (as per almost 60% of respondents) due to access to labour from outside the state like form Bihar, Jammu & Kashmir, etc. Employment is also being generated because of the diversification form the agriculture to other economic activities like opening of shops, small businesses, etc. (as per almost 55% of respondents).
Another change, which has come in the pattern of employment, is increase in the opportunities in outside the villages due to greater mobility, easy access to transportation (as per almost 74% of respondents), reduction in time (as per almost 80% of respondents) and cost of travel (as per almost 66% of respondents).
Many cottage-based industries like juice-making, Achar-making have appeared in the village scene and the villagers are finding employment there. Another major employment source has been the cropping up of small-small shops, dhabas, hotels on or around the roads. One major impact is seen on dairy business (as per almost 60% of respondents) as most of the villagers have adopted it on commercial level with ample employment opportunities household income has definitely taken an upward swing.
The employment scenario changes when a small enterprise or shop opens because employment is being provided to the individual and he then employs 1-2 more people. And in other cases like daring employment is provided to at least 3-4 people. In agriculture employment is further provided to at least 5-6 people though some times it may be seasonal in nature. In our survey findings it has come out very well that due to diversification of agriculture into vegetable growing or horticulture activities the employment of on-farm activities has increased.
Impact on Education
One of the most important impacts has been on the education front. Almost 86 % of the respondents have conceded to the increased access to the educational facilities. The attendance of schoolteacher is also regularised, which in the pre-construction phase remained negligible in the monsoon season. The access of education could be directly linked to the improved educational facilities (as per almost 79% of respondents) and opening up of private schools in the villages due to the easier access of the students to the schools from the nearby villages. Their has been a significant increase in the attendance of the students in the schools due to easier, safer and faster access even on rainy days. There is directly a correlation to the enrollment and attendance of girl students into the schools viz-a-viz the connectivity provided by the roads. But as far as the change in the attendance for colleges is concerned their doesnot seem to be a significant impact in such a short term though in the long term we perceive a very positive effect if the necessary facilities and access to colleges is provided.
One of the major impacts has been on the opening up of various private schools in the villages. The people who were fast enough to take the initiative by being early movers have really done wonders by opening up these schools. The tremendous thing is that they have a very good number of students including the girls are enrolled and the attendance has increased due to less dropouts, better delivery of education, better facilities, etc. and the people are not worried to pay more if the quality of education is good.
Impact on Health
Impact on the health front is also very positive because of the increased access to health services (as per almost 70% of respondents) due to construction of road. Now the officials of health department visit the villages more frequently. Now it has become possible to take the patient immediately to health centre / Doctor in the town. Even to call the Doctor in village has become easier now. Earlier the doctors showed their reluctance to visit the far off villages on foot or in the night, the situation further got aggravated due to non-availability of proper mode of transports which many a time ended in the incidence of sick people loosing life on way, but now due to faster and easier means of conveyance it has become possible to provide better improved health services to the villagers. There is also significant decrease in death of infant mortality (as per almost 55% of respondents) & children due to availability of timely medical help. Access to veterinary services has also increased (as per almost 65% of respondents) due to construction of road up to villages. Over all mortality has also reduced due to improved health facilities. There were cases when the deliveries took place on the roads while transiting the expecting mothers from the village to doctor, but now this seems to be on the reversal.
On the access of veterinary services also there has been a significant increase (as per almost 64% of respondents) which has given a new direction to the villagers to produce more milk and sell it in the nearby market, which till now was just only for subsistence.
Impact on Social Aspects
Social services / activities and social interactions and social integrations have increased (as per almost 72% of respondents) due to construction of road in these villages. Now the service delivery by the government officials has also improved (as per almost 70% of respondents) since now the officials from departments like Bank, health, family, planning, visit more frequently. The services of fire brigade, police etc. are now available. A very significant impact has been on the frequency of visits of the officials, in some of the villages it has come out very well that the enforcement by the law authorities has increased because now the summons from the court are delivered very fast and the people who earlier made various excuses for not reaching on the date of summon (non delivery or remoteness or no connecting link to the court were the main reasons) have to comply to the orders, thus making a way for the fast decisions and fast redressal of disputes.
One of the significant impacts has been on the marriages right from the stage of finalizing the marriage to the end of the marriage and the return of the relatives. Earlier people had to plan for almost every thing from lifting of the household materials to marriage place through labourers or on their backs. But now this seems to have changed due to the construction of PMGSY road. Also another aspect which has come out very significantly was the reluctance of the girls fathers for their marriages to remote unconnected villages. Some cases have come up where the marriages have been broken only on this aspect. Another aspect related to marriages was the reluctant/ non participation of the relatives in the marriages due to inconvenience of visiting the place. The cost of marriages has gone down significantly because earlier most of the arrangements were done by humans which is expensive. Transport is now available for marriages and it has become easy to visit relatives. Improved social conditions (as per almost 85% of respondents) has been reported.
There is change in living standard of villages and now people using surf, soap, oil in daily use. Even T.V has now come to the villages by which change in style of living taking place.
Now here our model of Input output plays a very significant role in determining the various costs related to provision of inputs, the processes that go along to produce an output. Since our input costs are decreasing, the availability of the improved inputs has increased, the horizon of availability of materials/ services increases, which results in the processes to be more efficient and cost effective thus producing a quality output, which has a larger and a wider reach in and across the region. This easily correlates to the social aspects and activities. So due to the construction of PMGSY roads the access and consumption of inputs has increased due to larger variety/ larger basket available, it has also become easy, convenient, faster, safer, which results in better processes being adopted by the individuals, households, etc. because of the overall improvement in the living conditions, upliftment of social status, needs and they produce improved output for self, for household, for village and the region as a whole.
Another social change, which could be seen, is the increase in the demand for secondary and tertiary needs like TV, Fridge, cycle, scooter, car. It was also observed that the people have already started to reap the gains due to the construction of PMGSY road and the early movers who were fast enough to grab the opportunity by initiating some kind of business by taking loans from the bank are thinking of diversifying into various other businesses like renting of tractor, renting of threshers, etc. These people are further trying to access the needs of the area and are providing niche services like plying of mobile floor mill, which provides the services at the doorstep at no additional cost. Plying of taxi services, plying of jeeps for local conveyance, are some of the other customized services that have already been initiated by the villagers.
Impact on Socio-Economic Status
Acceleration in the socio-economic status of the village is inextricably linked with the above mentioned variables. Improvement in the above quoted variables has resulted in the overall improvement in the socio- economic status of the rural populace. Growth in any of these sector invariably tend to improve the socio-economic profile to the same tune. With tremendous impact in all these, the socio-economic graph has taken an upward swing. The major impact is on the construction of pucca houses (as per almost 60% of respondents). There is sharp increase in the personal vehicles, followed by every house equipped with the modern facilities. A very effective impact is noticed on women - folk, which earlier were confined within the village, boundaries, have now moblised themselves into the main-stream of society. After the construction of road, women segment have got a fresh lease life, their awareness level have improved due to urban contact. Further, the prices of land adjacent to road side has increased and few of the villagers have already sold the land at a higher price. New relations have established with the other villages and this in turn has given birth to new change in socio- economic set -up. Movements of VIP's/Govt. officials have also increased to some extent. Due to frequent mobility of vehicles whole day, the village remains filled with activities all day. This scintillating socio-economic picture of a village clearly manifests impact of the highest degree.
Impact on Transport/Mobility
Dominating impact on this front noticed. Trade & commerce have started flourishing and fostered life among its denizens. Access to Transport facilities both personal and others have increased (as per almost 74% of respondents), a lot due to construction of road. It was quite difficult to approach the village before road and only means was on foot on account as villages remained somewhat isolated from the development taking place in other part of the district. Now construction of road has not only facilitated the movement in day / Night and even rainy season (as per almost 98% of respondents) but has brought the development in all the fields. Now more people have their vehicles and public vehicles are also available for social and economic activities. The traders are finding it easy to access the nearby markets for purchase of grains and other products. Transportation of wood as raw material have become much easier now. Due to saving in the time of travel and further the reduction in the cost of travel, have benefited the villagers enormously, as they can reach the working centers/offices in time without delay. The reduction in diesel consumption and freight charges, which on the rough structure was slightly on the higher side, are the other achievements on this front. With greater mobility, the villagers are now coming in contact with new Govt. schemes, resulting in upgraded income profile of the same. It has also been noticed that in some of the villages the bus services have been started, further propelling the mobility and transportation of goods.
Impact on Urbanization
Impact of urbanization is apparent from the life-style of the villagers as most of the traditional houses are converting into concrete structures (as per almost 61% of respondents). The people are going in for the purchase of goods to fulfill their secondary and tertiary needs. From the above description also it is very clear that various kinds and forms of inputs are increasing, the people are trying to make the best use of these in their way some by purchasing the things which they were not able to utilize earlier. There is an upward swing in the demand for the vehicles whether scooters, mobikes, cars, tractors, etc. The most significant thing is the change in their psychology and their outward thinking, which can have a spiraling effect for moving towards an urbanized society. The trend towards urbanization is clearly there, though it is very early to say about the transformation to urbanized society but if the developmental effects percolate to a higher extent certainly it is achievable in the long run.
The cost of the land has certainly increased and the cost of the land near the roads has appreciated significantly. The cost of agriculture land near the road in certain areas has appreciated from almost Rs 25000/- to almost 35000/-40000/- per kanal. (in one hectare there are 12 kanals).
