The Causal Effect of Road Connectivity on Healthcare in Previously Unconnected Villages in India: Fuzzy Regression Discontinuity Estimation of the Impact of PMGSY

Abstract

The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) programme of India provides new road connectivity for unconnected habitations with a population of at least 500. This paper evaluates the causal effect of the new road connectivity on the healthcare benefits accrued to the previously unconnected village households, specifically the pregnancy care and contraceptive use, awareness and hygiene, and social interaction. The nonparametric fuzzy regression discontinuity design (FRDD) is applied to the data derived from the 2007-2008 District Level Household Survey (DLHS-3) and the Socioeconomic High-Resolution Rural-Urban Geographic Platform for India (SHRUG) data. The FRDD estimates show that in the treatment villages, more women seek antenatal care, have delivery conducted in hospitals and use modern contraceptive methods. In the villages newly connected with roads, awareness of government health care programmes like prevention of sex selection and female foeticide, treat water and take health insurance coverage has increased. The provision of all-weather roads to unconnected villages is also more likely to impact social interaction and more participation in women’s self-help groups, and village assembly takes important decisions on preventive healthcare.

Keywords: PMGSY, Villages, All-Weather Road, Connectivity, Healthcare, Fuzzy Regression Discontinuity Design

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