Uttarakhand - Department of Land Resources

economic impact of a new road, Elmondorf and Merrill (1977) found that road created
inflow and outflow channels of transportation, communication and modernization as well
as migration, both into and out of the community. In this sense, rural road act not only as
a bridge between urban/ developed and poor/ rural/ underdeveloped areas, but also as
agents of diffusion, contact and unification. Improvement in rural roads affects
agricultural development followed by development of social services. It is observed that
roads tend to have a greater initial impact on production where cash crops are grown,
because food crops, grown by small farmers, have a lower price elasticity of supply than
cash crops (USAID, 1972)
Rural Road Network in Uttarakhand State : Presently the state has a total length of road
of 28512 kms (2006-07). The length of National Highways was 2229 km (7.8% of total
length). The share of rural roads was 15968 km. (56%) and it is estimated at 253 kms/
lakh of rural population as against the All India average of 243 Kms / lakh population.
The main issues related to Rural Roads and Bridge Project is as under:-
Inclusion of Defect Liability Clause and its proper implementation: Due to burgeoning
maintenance expenditure of the roads, it is highly necessary to incorporate a clause
in the tender that the contractors / firms shall be responsible for the “Defect liability
period” preferably for five years and in no case less than three years after the
projects are commissioned/ completed. The same may be included and
implemented in true spirit by the Department to ensure proper maintenance of the
new roads and also to ensure the quality of the roads.
Multiplicity of contractors : For effective implementation of Defect Liability clause the
multiplicity of contractors in construction of roads may be avoided and this may also
lead to improvement in road quality during construction.
District wise analysis indicates that Tehri Garhwal, US Nagar, Pauri Garhwal,
Haridwar, Dehradun and Almora districts are having road network equal to the State
average whereas Chamoli, Pithoragarh, Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Nainital,
Champawat and Bageshwar districts are having road network lesser than State
average.
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