Evaluation of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) - Ministry of Rural Development, Govt of India – June-July 2007

  AFC was entrusted the task of study on “Benefit sensitivity Analysis for Gender Perspective in PMGSY by Ministry of Rural Development GOI in 11 States viz. Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Orissa, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan & Mizoram covering 22 districts and 88 PMGSY Roads.

The prime objective of PMGSY was to provide connectivity by the laying of all-weather roads in the rural areas such that habitations with a population of 1000 persons and above are covered in three years and all unconnected habitations with a population of 500 persons and above by the end of Tenth Plan period (2007). Earlier transport was never considered as a gender issue and was purely viewed in terms of being a development issue. But now women have greater and more diverse transportation needs, hence the impact is higher on women. The study seeks to bring out the specific outcome and impact of rural roads project on women. In each district the study was undertaken in two completed PMGSY roads (among those completed either during 2004-05 or 2005-06) and two ongoing PMGSY road construction (where more than 50% work had been completed).