Assessment of Socio-Economic Impacts of PMGSY Roads Using Fuzzy Multi-Criteria Decision Making Tool

Rural roads are one of the significant aspects which contribute to the social and economic well-being of rural households. They assist in overall development and welfare of the rural inhabitants. Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) is one such initiative taken by Government of India with a view of developing rural regions. It has been launched to enhance rural connectivity with a viewpoint of producing better economic and social prospects for rural inhabitants. The current study is an attempt to assess the impacts incurred by the construction of PMGSY roads on the socio-economic status of rural habitants. The study develops a novel model to assess the socio-economic impacts of rural roads constructed under PMGSY scheme, by employing Mamdani fuzzy interference system. A case study of Jhunjhunu District of Rajasthan State, India, is considered to validate the effectiveness of the model. Total of 33 sub-criteria under five main criteria have been considered as significant indicators to assess the change in socio-economic status of the habitations. The developed model foresees the change in socio-economic status of the selected habitations before and after the construction of PMGSY roads. Moreover, the percentage change occurred in the socio-economic status of the habitations provides an insight and clarity to the decision makers in employing different schemes to enhance the lives of the rural population. And also will assist to devise appropriate strategies for sustainable planning of rural road infrastructure.