Road Connectivity for the Improvement of Socio-Economic Development of Rural Area In Wada Taluka, Palghar District, Maharashtra, India

Abstract: Rural road connectivity plays a significant role in the socio-economic growth and development of rural people by providing them access to basic amenities for a better livelihood. A study was conducted in Tuse, Shindepada and Kamatvasahat villages of Wada Taluka, Palghar district to find out the socio-economic impact of road connectivity on rural livelihoods. A purposive random sampling design was used for the selection of respondents. A total of 100 respondents from three villages comprised the sample for the study. A structured interview schedule was developed, and data was collected through the personal interview technique. Statistical tools such as frequency, percentage, and the correlation coefficient were used for analysing the data obtained. The findings showed that rural roads had a great impact on both farm and non-farm sectors. The dependent variable, income generation, was found to have a positive and significant relationship with the independent variables, family size (r=0.22**) and land holding (r=0.25**). Also, farm benefits were found to have a positive and significant relationship with land holding (r=0.39**) and annual income (r=0.61**), and non-farm benefits health (r=0.47**) and education (r=0.72**) with annual income, respectively.