The impact of motorable bridge on the socio-economic development of rural community: A case study of Zone of Influence (ZoI) of Tiperikhola bridge, Dailekh District, Nepal

Abstract

The purpose of this study “The impact of motorable bridge on the socio-economic development of rural community” (A case study of zone of influence of Tiperi khola bridge, Dailekh district) was undertaken mainly to examine and compare the impact of motorable bridge on the Socio- Economic development of rural community during and after the construction of Tiperi khola motorable bridge. The study was limited in Zone of Influence of Tiperi khola bridge in Dailekh district. Motorable bridge is one of the factors that contribute towards the socio- economic development of Zone of Influence by constructing the all- weather road through motorable bridge over Tiperi khola. This study analyzes and compares information (data) with previous baseline data (LRBP 2014) and identifies the impact of Tiperikhola Bridge in Dailekh. The objectives of the study are: To analyze and compare socio-economic status of the community, To analyze and compare the travel time to services such as District headquarter, District Hospital, Campus, Main Market and to analyze and compare traffic volume. This study was done in two process, firstly selected the 30 households among 60 households, which were selected during baseline survey (LRBP, 2014) to collect primary data after construction of Tiperi khola bridge. In second, the study obtained the same 30 household baseline survey information (LRBP 2014) among 60 households and analyzed that information to compare with this study to examine the impacts before and after construction of Tiperi khola bridge. Better access to markets created economic opportunities for people in Zone of influence and people to sell their labor and products through Tiperi khola bridge. At the micro level access to transport facilitated job search and contributed to easier diversification of income. Occupational status also major factors to define the social development of ZOI of this bridge. Tiperi khola bridge played the vital role for the rapid development of rural society, rural communities and the rural people through connecting with service centers, market, educational institutions, medical facilities and district headquarter etc. The movement of jeep was increased from 2 to 6 trips, movement of motorcycle was increased 4 to 10 trips, movement of tractors 4 to 18 trips and 5 mini bus started its movement after construction of Tiperi Khola Bridge in Dailekh. After being all- weather road, about 39 vehicles plied up to the Zone of Influence (ZOI) of this bridge. Before construction of Tiperi khola bridge, rarely 10 vehicles plied through this khola, due to the lack of bridge. After construction of Tiperi khola bridge, it was easier to cross this river for all kinds of vehicle from and to the ZOI of this bridge because of all-weather road and reliable crossing over Tiperi khola in Dailekh. It was quite sooner to study the impact of Tiperi khola bridges in socio-economic development of ZOI of this bridge in Daielkh district.