THE DEVELOPMENT OF A ROAD NETWORK AND ITS IMPACT ON THE GROWTH OF INFRASTRUCTURE - A STUDY OF ALMORA DISTRICT IN THE CENTRAL HIMALAYA

The introduction and extension of basic facilities in a rural landscap e was analyzed in relationship to the development of a road network in a high-altitude, remote location in the Indian Central Himalaya. In g eneral, the infrastructure was concentrated along a road or within a d istance of two kilometers, and declined with increasing distance from the road. However, the distribution of primary education units and pos tal services was not affected by road development but the impact of a road was clearly visible. The major human and animal health-care facil ities were concentrated at a few easily accessible points, and the loc ation of other facilities was determined by distance from the road. Dr inking water supplied by government agencies and an electricity networ k were initially introduced along the road network and then extended w hereas telecommunication facilities (telephone and telegraph) and fina ncial institutions were established only along the road. A road networ k is the most felt need for socioeconomic development in remote and in accessible mountains areas that are cut off from mainstream developmen t.