Value of Road for Rural Development (A Case Study of Bhimdhunga-Lamidanda VDC of Kathmandu District)

Abstract

Road building is gaining popularity in the Nepal. Construction of roads has become the immediate priority in all level of government bodies-central, districts and village level. But, the recent policy is to focus more on Local Road Network (LRN) to rural development. Budget allocation in the road sector is high compare to other infrastructure sectors. According to publication of DOLIDAR, four billion rupees have been invested every year for the local infrastructure, in which 60% of the amount is invested for the construction of rural roads only. The objectives of this study were: i) to explore the change about by green road in the demographic status of the people in study area, ii) to measure the impact of green road on poor social status of rural people in study area after the completion of road construction, iii) to measure the impact of green road on economic status of rural people in study area after the completion of road construction and iv) to study the impact of green road on environment in the study area. Descriptive and exploratory research design was used in the study. Primary data were collected through interview schedule, observation, case Study and secondary data were collected through information from various sources. This thesis has been organized into six chapters, the first chapter dealing with introduction. Chapter two includes review of literature. Chapter three describes the study area. Chapter includes the methods and procedure of the study. Chapter deals with the analysis and interpretation of data. Chapter six includes summary, conclusion and recommendations of the study. The study indicates that major causes affecting socio-economic development in the study area are the location of VDC Kathmandu, water resources with fertile land, easy access of agriculture inputs, impact of the Bhimdunga-Lamidanda Road, adoption of market-oriented activities and intensive vegetable farming, and facilities of transportation and communication respectively. Recommendations Based on the analysis and findings of data, following recommendations are made: • Prepare village profile with problems and prospects • The community programs should be developed after identifying their necessities. • It is necessary to check migration of educated people from rural to urban sector by providing proper employment in their own community. • Ministry of Education and Sports and related department have to provide activities related to effective educational programmes. • Industries/factories and agricultural farming should be launched the community. • Administrative and organizational infrastructure is to be formulated to serve people but not to rule. • Loans are necessary for livestock farming and cottage industry. • Emphasis should be given on historically disadvantaged communities to improve the living status and quality of rural life. • It is necessary to promote and extend the processes of sustainable development of Nepal's indigenous people and mobilize their human potential. • Locally available natural resources and manpower should be mobilized and utilized more efficiently and effectively that are available in rural area. • Local environment should be protected and a better microclimate situation should be created within the study area.