The National Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (NRIDA), Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, and the Indian Institute of Management Kolkata (IIM Kolkata) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for undertaking a comprehensive four-year longitudinal Impact Assessment Study of roads constructed under PMGSY-IV and PM-JANMAN.

The MoU was signed by Ms Aditi Singh (IAS) Director General, NRIDA, on behalf of NRIDA, Ministry of Rural Development Government of India and Prof. Alok Kumar Rai Director, (IIM Kolkata), in the presence of Secretary, Rural Development, Shri Rohit Kansal and other officials of Ministry and IIM Kolkata marking an important step towards strengthening evidence-based impact assessment of rural connectivity interventions.

Key Highlights of the Study

• Four-year longitudinal impact assessment to assess the long-term outcomes of rural road connectivity.
• Coverage of 10 States/UTs, 50 districts, 150 blocks and 250 roads. States/UT’s  to be covered are Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Uttarakhand.
• Survey of approximately 5,000 households to assess changes in mobility, accessibility and socio-economic conditions.
• The study will follow a longitudinal approach involving Baseline Survey (Pre-Construction Survey) and  Endline Survey (Post Construction Survey) data collection to assess changes over time.
• Assessment of the impact of rural roads on mobility, accessibility, socio-economic conditions and access to essential services.
• Baseline Survey (Pre Construction Survey): 14 months
• Transition Period: Approximately 12 months
• Endline Survey (Post Construction Survey): 22 months

Expected Outcomes

The long-term study is expected to generate robust evidence on the sustained socio-economic and developmental impacts of rural road connectivity under PMGSY-IV and PM-JANMAN. It will assess how improved connectivity influences accessibility and mobility, livelihoods, employment, income diversification, agriculture, non-farm activities and access to markets as well as household welfare and rural deprivation.

 

The study will also assess the long-term impact of improved rural road connectivity on education, healthcare, women’s empowerment, safety, and access to essential public and financial services. Particular emphasis will be given to changes observed in travel time and transportation costs, mobility, access to employment and livelihood opportunities and migration patterns. It will further examine changes in these outcomes over time and assess variations across different regions and vulnerable groups, thereby, providing a comprehensive understanding of the long-term impact of rural road connectivity.

An important outcome will be the assessment of the sustainability of these benefits in ensuring continued socio-economic gains. The proposed study may help in identifying implementation gaps, emerging challenges and areas requiring policy intervention.

Overall, the collaboration between NRIDA, MoRD and IIM Kolkata will provide valuable inputs for programme review, outcome monitoring, evidence-based policy formulation and future planning in rural infrastructure development.

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