Evaluation Study on Rural Roads Component of Bharat Nirman

Abstract

The President of India, in his address to Parliament on 25th February, 2005, announced a major business plan for rebuilding rural India called “Bharat Nirman”. The Finance Minister, in his Budget Speech of 28th February, 2005, identified Rural Roads as one of the six components of Bharat Nirman and set a time bound goal to provide connectivity to all villages with a population of 1000 persons and above (500 persons and above in the case of hilly or tribal areas) with an all-weather road. A total of 66,802 habitations were proposed to be provided new connectivity under Bharat Nirman. This envisaged construction of 1,46,185 kms of rural roads. In addition to new connectivity, Bharat Nirman also had an ambitious plan for upgradation/renewal of 1,94,130 kms of existing rural roads. The programme has underscored the multiplier effect in the rural economy by linking production sites to the markets and services through Bharat Nirman.