17 17 ‘ South -Asian Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies (SAJMS) ISSN:2349-7858:SJIF:2.246:Volume 4 Issue 6 RURAL ROADS IN INDIA: AN OVERVIEW OF CONNECTIVITY STATUS Ankita Medhi 1 ABSTRACT Rural roads are important for connecting rural areas for better transport and communication and overall socio-economic development. Rural roads in India are important for overall rural development. The present study analyzes the rural road status in all the states of India till the year 2015. The study highlights the surfaced rural road connectivity in the states in India. The study states that though the overall length of the rural roads has been increased the surfaced road length has not been increased accordingly. Moreover, rural road development in all the states have been assessed through two important road development indicators. Road development indicators have depicted inadequate rural road development. The study suggested emphasis on both increase in rural road length and the surfaced roads. The study may provide the basis for planners in rural road development planning and maintenance. Keywords: Rural roads, rural road density, rural road availability,surfaced roads 1 Research Scholar,Department of Geography,Delhi School of Economics,University of Delhi,Delhi-110007