Answer:

♤ Even after a decade, a large number of villages and habitations in rural areas remain unconnected due to lack of good quality roads. Around 44% of the rural population is not covered by the rural road network.

♤ The lack of roads means that an estimated 20-30 percent of the agricultural, horticultural and forest produce gets wasted because of inability to timely transport the produce to marketing and processing centres

♤ Rural roads comprise over 85 % of the road network and their being kept in serviceable condition is crucial to the rural / agricultural growth and affording means of access to millions of rural people to social facilities viz. medical, education as well as to market. Lack of maintenance affects the poor people badly as the time for access to markets and other social infrastructure is increased.

♤ Rural roads have been proved to be catalytic for economic development and poverty alleviation in rural areas

Success of PMGSY:

♤ Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) roads have resulted in significant benefits to rural households in form of easier access to health and educational facilities.

♤ It has enhanced school enrolment of students, and attendance of students and teachers. The road connectivity has increased the mobility of women as they can now travel alone in buses and cycles.

♤ One of the major benefits is access to markets, which increases employment and business opportunities, and encourages small-scale and cottage industry activities, roadside stalls, and shops in the villages. It has created employment opportunities to local people of around 460 million man days per year.

♤ Better roads have meant availability of irrigation facilities like bore pumps and use of tractors, enabling multiple cropping and efficient farming. Dairy and poultry farmers have also benefited. Roads have enhanced rural employment—both on• and off farm and encouraged setting up of small enterprises, including those by women.

♤ Rural infrastructure investments have benefitted the rural poor through increased incomes and improved consumption patterns.