Background

This rural connectivity is essential for the overall development of the rural areas. There is a close link between rural connectivity and socio-economic aspects, such as, economic growth, employment, education and health care. Habitations, which are unconnected, do not have availability and accessibility to several facilities and socio-economic services.

The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) is involved with the task of reducing poverty and bringing about rapid sustainable development and socio-economic transformation in rural India. To enable the process of developing rural India, various schemes are being implemented across the districts of the country. As a part of this, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) was launched on 25th December, 2000 to increase rural road connectivity with a view to promote greater access to economic and social services and thereby, generate increased economic and social opportunities in rural India.

The Ministry of Rural Development has undertaken a quick assessment of the socio-economic impact of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) on the lives of rural people in selected states of Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Orissa, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. TNS MODE was assigned the task of conducting the study in West Bengal.

There are a number of habitations in the country, which are still not connected by All-weather roads or are connected with poor quality roads (due to poor construction or maintenance) which cannot be categorized as all-weather roads. The rationale for launching PMGSY scheme is thus to redress this situation so that certain opportunities and services (employment, educational, health, transport, marketing facilities etc.), which are not available in the unconnected habitation, become available to the residents.

Objectives

The objectives of the assessment study were: (i) to capture the effect of enhanced rural road connectivity under PMGSY on the socio economic improvement or the changes brought about in the lives of the rural poor at the household level, habitation level and village level. The focus was on assessing the impact of the roads on the lives of the local villagers in terms of agriculture, employment, education, health etc. (ii)The study also attempts to measure the outcome indicators of PMGSY in terms of poverty, backward and forward linkages, employment, in addition to connectivity improvements. (iii) Other outcome indicators used for the study were institutional delivery, child immunization and migration.

Methodology

Sampling Design

In each of the three selected districts, three roads with new connectivity or upgraded roads upto March 31, 2003 were chosen. In each of the selected road, two habitations with population of 1000 and above were selected for the study.

In each selected habitation, 2 Focus Group Discussions (FGD) one with men and one with women were conducted. Thus, a total number of 4 FGDs were conducted per road (2 Habitations x 2 FGDs) and a total number of 12 FGDs were conducted per district (3 roads x 2 habitations x 2 FGDs). Overall, 36 FGDs were conducted in 3 districts.

Besides, case studies of a village and individual representing a selected road were conducted in each district. Each case study consisted of 5-6 In-Depth Interviews (IDI) with the villagers.

A checklist focusing on key indicators was used to collect quantitative data about the villages. Apart from the above, 1-2 in-depth interviews were conducted with key informants (Panchayat leaders etc) in each habitation.

Data collection tools

A set of comprehensive data collection tools were developed and data / information were collected by using both quantitative as well as qualitative research methods.

Sources of data collection

Sources of data collection included:

• Data on lengths of the roads, their connectivity, dates of starting and completing the construction and other details were collected from secondary sources.
• Data to know the perception of community on the benefits that have accrued due to upgradation / construction of roads and also its impact on different sectors of development was collected through primary sources.
• The perception, reactions and responses of the community were utilized to draw inferences and conclusions on selected indicators leading to better quality of life and poverty alleviation.
• Photographs of roads have been used to support and substantiate our findings and observations.

Coverage

The study was conducted in the following villages along the roads mentioned below:

District	Block	Road	Village selected FGD & IDI	FGD	IDI
Bardhaman	Raina I	Bandgacha to Shyamsundar	Belser, Sibrampur, Jotsadi	6	3
Bardhaman	Baraboni	Kelegora health centre to Amdina Road	Puncha, Amdiha	4	2
Bardhaman	Bhatar	Banpass to Narja	Khurul, Basuda	4	2
Nadia	Santipur	Baghachra to Sreerampur	Baghachra, Hijuli, Saguna	6	3
Nadia	Haringhata	Dutta Para to Kasthadanga	Uttar Dutta Para, Madhpur, Kastha Danga	6	3
Nadia	Ranaghat II	Coopers Camp to Gangnapur	Kutirsolva, Rai Nagar, Naser Kuli	6	3
Purulia	Arsha	Arsha to Beldih Road	Goradag, Phasko, Beldih	6	3
Purulia	Kashipur	Sonothali to Karangberi Road	Talajuri, Kalidaha	4	2
Purulia	Jhalda II	Kotshila to Bararola Road	Bararola, Nawahate, Urusharam	6	3
Total				48	24

Reference period : The study was conducted in the month of January to February, 2004

Profile of Districts

Barddhaman

• Barddhaman is one of the 18 districts of West Bengal, with a total land area of 7,024 sq.km.
• According to 2001 Census , the population of the district is 69.2 lakh and it constitutes about 9 percent of the states' population
• Nearly two-thirds of its population live in rural areas. As regards employment, about 60 percent of the population is engaged in the primary sector and 13 percent in the tertiary sector
• The literacy rate in the district (population aged 7+ years) is 71 percent, with 79.3 percent for males and 61.9 percent for females
• Sixteen roads were upgraded/constructed by March 2003; out of these, 3 roads were randomly selected for coverage under the study. The details of these roads are:

Road I: Bandgacha to Shyamsunder: This road is 13 km in length and connects Bandgacha to Shyamsunder. This road was completed on 31st March 2003. The contracting agency was SHRISTI Contractors. The road connects densely populated villages of Raina I block.

Road 2: Bonpass to Najra: This road is 4.5 km in length and connects the villages of Bonpass to Najra. The road connects densely populated villages of Bhatar block.

Road 3: Kelehjora Health centre to Amidiha Road: This road is 8 km in length and connects Bandgacha to Shyamsunder. This road was completed on 31st March 2003. The contracting agency was B.M.W Contractors. The road connects the villages of the colliery belt of Baraboni block.

Nadia

• Nadia is one of the 18 districts of West Bengal, with a total land area of 3927 sq.km.
• According to 2001 Census, the population of the district is 46.0 lakh, and it constitutes about 5.7 percent of the state's population
• The literacy rate in the district (population aged 7+ years) is 66.6 percent, with 72.7 percent for males and 60.1 percent for females
• About 77 percent of its population lives in rural area. As regards employment nearly 59 percent of the population is engaged in the primary sector, 18 percent in the secondary sector and 23 percent in the tertiary sector
• Sixteen roads were upgraded/constructed by March, 2003; out of these 3 roads were randomly selected for coverage under the study. The details of these roads are:

Road I: Cooper's Camp to Gangnapur: This road is 3.5 km in length and connects Cooper's Camp to Gangnapur. This road was completed on 31st March 2003. The contracting agency was Mackintosh Burn Ltd. The road connects densely populated villages of Ranaghat II block.

Road 2: Badhgacha to Sreerampur: This road is 2.75 km in length and connects the village of Badhgacha to Sreerampur. The road connects densely populated villages of Shantipur block.

Road 3: Duttapara to Kasthadanga: This road is 4 km in length and connects Duttapara to Kasthadanga. This road was completed on 31st March 2003. The contracting agency was Engineers Cooperative. The road connects the villages of Haringhata block.

Purulia

• Purulia is one of the 18 districts of Wet Bengal, with a total land area of 6259 sq.km.
• According to 2001 Census, the population of the district is 25.4 lakh and it constitutes about 3.2 percent state's population
• About 90 percent of its population line in rural areas. As regards employment, about 35 percent of the population is engaged in the primary sector, 9 percent in the secondary sector and 14 percent in the tertiary sector
• The literacy rate in the district (population aged 7+ years) is 43.3 percent, 62.2 percent for males and 23.2 percent for females
• Six roads were upgraded/constructed by March, 2003; out of these 3 roads were randomly selected for coverage under the study. The details of these roads are:

Road I: Sonakhali to Karanberi Road: This road is 13 km in length and connects the villages of Sonakhali to Karanberi in Kashipur Block. The contracting agency was M/s. Ashutosh Sahana & Sons. The road has helped in connecting the remote villages of Kashipur block.

Road 2: Ashra to Beldih Road: This road is 12.5 km in length and connects the village of Ashra to Beldih. The road connects densely populated villages of Bhatar block.

Road 3: Kotshila to Bararola Road: This road is 8 km in length and connects Bandgacha to Shyamsunder. This road was completed on 31st March 2003. The contracting agency was Mehta Constructions. The road connects the villages of the Jhalda II block.

Salient Findings

The salient findings relate to positive impact on various sectors of development, such as; agriculture employment, industry, health, education, social aspects, urbanization etc. poverty alleviation through increase in income and improved quality of life due to improvement in accessibility of facility.

Agriculture

• Maximum impact was on mobility of beneficiaries, thereby strengthening forward and backward linkages with the market.
• Easy availability of commercial transportation and reduction in transportation cost resulted in increased volume of goods being carried to the markets.
• Increased accessibility to markets has made cultivators less dependent on the middleman for sale of agricultural produce. Cultivators are getting higher price by selling their produce directly at the markets.
• Improved linkages with the markets and reduction in transportation cost have led to an increase in accessibility and use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
• Changes in cropping pattern was also observed in some habitations from food grains to cash crops.
• Due to overall increase of motorized agricultural vehicles, like, tractors and threshing machines, some habitations bought or rented tractors for the very first time after road connectivity was established. Use of tractors has been cost effective as well as time saving too. This has also increased the agricultural productivity.
• Poultry production, for commercial dairy purpose has increased due to better accessibility to markets. In some habitations, poultry industry was started only after road connectivity was established
• The road connectivity directly or indirectly, has increased the income level of the cultivators to some extent positively
• In all the districts, improved rural connectivity has brought about significant changes, practically in all the dimensions of agriculture sector

Employment generation

• Upgradation/construction of the roads have been beneficial for petty traders and shopkeepers. Road have become sites for income opportunities for villagers putting up number of stalls and kiosks. Cultivators also have found an opportunity for selling vegetables on the side of the road.
• There was an increase in employment in the local handloom industry as the volume of goods being sold at the market has increased due to road connectivity.
• Off farm employment opportunities have increased owing to improved transportation system and accessibility of nearby towns.
• Improved surface communication has brought positive changes in terms of increase in on-farm employment. Opportunity as well as increase in employment opportunity outside the villages.

Industry

• Weavers in Nadia District have greatly benefited from the upgradation construction of roads under PMGSY as accessibility to bigger and better markets has increased
• Upgradation/construction of all weather roads have enabled transportation of goods (sarees) during all seasons and have thereby expanded the weaving industry. This has led to an increase in employment in the local handloom industry
• Increased availability of commercial vehicles has reduced the travel time required to transport raw materials.
• Overall, no appreciable changes has been observed in the industrial sector in any of the districts under study

Impact on health

• Impact was observed on the general health scenario in the villages covered by the study due to the construction / upgradation of the road.
• Road connectivity and greater availability of vehicles have led to increased accessibility to health care facilities. The choice of better health care facilities has widened
• Improved transportation system has cut down on travel time, thus, enabling faster accessibility to curative care and better management of medical emergencies.
• Increase in frequency of visits by health workers to the village during all seasons was observed. This has been possible due to the upgrade/construction of all weather roads.
• Management of infectious diseases has become easier due to the increased accessibility of health facilities.
• Increase in the number of institutional deliveries has been noteworthy. Institutional delivery emerged as the preferred place for childbirth.
• Availability of antenatal and postnatal health care has increased along with the choice of availing medical facilities in case of obstetric emergencies in case of home deliveries. Regular visits by health workers, easy availability of doctors on call and trained midwives had reduced the risk of obstetric emergencies.
• Findings indicate reduction in instances of neo-natal mortality after the up-gradation/construction of the roads due to the fact that availability of health care services has increased. As an added benefit of frequent interaction between villagers and health workers, the villagers have become more aware of obstetric risks and essential care for the new born.
• Significant improvement was visible so far as Polio Programme is concerned. Polio Programme has been running successfully in the villages after the upgradation/ construction of the roads under PMGSY as the vehicles are now able to come into the village on the pulse polio days.
• People also reported of taking their children to health facilities for getting their children immunized

Education sector

• The road connectivity has made positive changes in children's education. Due to road connectivity, middle and high schools situated outside the villages are more accessible now.
• Lesser travel time to school and availability of free time has enabled more students for going to private tuition.
• There has been a significant change in attitude of parents with regard to sending their daughters to school. They are more confident about sending girls to schools without being escorted.
• Number of school dropouts during monsoon has reduced considerably. Teachers have become more available in schools during monsoon season

Social aspects

• Road connectivity has increased the frequency of visits by Government functionaries. This has led to an improvement in the implementation of various development schemes and programmes.
• Improved Postal and Telegraph services have led to better accessibility to banks
• Upgradation/construction of PMGSY roads have improved police patrols around the villages thereby creating a sense of fear among the bad elements.
• Construction of PMGSY roads has widened the villagers' network of social interaction and social relations. Villagers are now more inclined towards marriage alliances with far-off habitations connected by PMGSY roads.

Transport facilities

• Increase in the number of transport facilities, especially commercial vehicles and shared jeeps plying on the PMGSY roads were observed to be the most noticeable change. The construction all weather PMGSY roads, the commercial vehicles are available during all seasons.
• Road connectivity has resulted in increased ownership of bicycles and scooters in all the habitations

Urbanization

• Sudden increase in land prices in all the places adjacent to the new connectivity was observed. Villagers have started selling the land at comparatively high prices to outside people.
• Construction of PMGSY roads have facilitated petty trade along the road
• After the upgradation of the roads, there have been a shift in the type of houses constructed i.e. from kuchcha to semi pucca or fully pucca houses since accessibility to and transportation of raw materials have become easier

Poverty alleviation

• The spin off direct benefits of roads under PMGSY have been on the income level of the habitants benefiting from these roads. Improved road connectivity has resulted in an expansion of agricultural and allied trade, local industries and petty trade. The roads, directly or indirectly have provided an opportunity for on farm and off -farm employment as well as self-employment.
• Improved transportation has led to improvement in the health conductions of people. There is now timely curative aid to the people for management of common and infectious diseases. Maternal health has improved due to better care of mother during the ante-natal, natal and post-natal period. Better ante-natal care has also been manifested into reduced neo-natal deaths and better chances of infant survival. Immunisation status of children has improved leading to prevention of vaccine preventable diseases; such as polio, tuberculosis, diphtheria, pertusis, tetanus and measles.
• Improved education status of children, especially of girls will have far reaching implications in achieving the goals of several Government run programmes. Thus, the rural connectivity has paved a way for upliftment of the rural community due to increased awareness, urbanization and enhanced social status.

Limitations of the Study

• The findings of the study are based on a very small sample. So one should be careful while generalizing the results for the whole state.
• The impact, mentioned in the report, is the perception of the respondents. The percentages indicate the number of respondents, who reported that there has been a change i.e. increase or decrease in the parameter.

Suggestions and Recommendations

The connectivity through PMGSY roads has greatly influenced the all round improvement on the lives of the beneficiaries. The beneficiaries have expressed their satisfaction over the construction and upgradation of roads. However, during the field visit of the survey team, certain issues and concerns of the beneficiaries emerged. The success of PMGSY program can be further enhanced by taking into account the following issues:

• Road connectivity has given way to a new transportation system inclusive of commercial and heavy vehicles. It has also introduced speeding vehicles giving rise to a number of accidents on these roads. Almost every habitation had referred to at least one such incident in context of the road. This indicates that habitants of villages connected by these roads need to be made aware of road safety.
• In many cases, shoulders of the roads were not finished. During the monsoon seasons, there are chances that the road will get washed away and eroded. It is, therefore, suggested that these roads should be completed in all respects.
• In Barddhaman district, some of the PGMSY roads cut across the agricultural lands resulting in loss of cultivable land along with side of the roads. Proper planning should be made to avoid such situations
• Another concern was the lack of proper maintenance of the PMGSY roads. It was felt by the beneficiaries that a separate fund may be created for attending to the repairs and proper maintenance of the PMGSY roads. It would be better, if this fund is given to some local body such as village panchayat to get the repairs done immediately