Road Development in Tribal Heartlands: A Path to Governance and Peace
In India’s tribal regions, especially those affected by Maoist insurgency, road construction signifies more than just improved transportation. Roads are essential state representatives, marking the arrival of governance in historically marginalized and neglected areas.
Impact of Roads in Conflict Zones
- In states like Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Odisha, road development significantly correlates with improvements in electricity access, employment opportunities, and security.
- Roads aid in reestablishing state governance by reducing the influence of non-state actors and insurgent groups, which often fill the gaps left by absent formal institutions.
Challenges Posed by Extralegal Governance
- Insurgent groups establish parallel institutions, such as informal courts and taxation systems, posing challenges to state authority.
- These systems often lack transparency, fairness, and accountability, resulting in arbitrary and punitive justice, exemplified by kangaroo courts or "jan adalats".
Role of Infrastructure in Establishing Formal Governance
- Infrastructure development is a political act, not merely functional, as it establishes the physical presence of lawful authority.
- Roads facilitate the introduction of formal state institutions like schools, police stations, clinics, and courts, which operate within a framework of democratic laws.
The Need for Comprehensive Development
- While infrastructure is crucial, it must be complemented by institutional safeguards to prevent roads from becoming symbols of control.
- Development efforts should integrate pluralistic, rights-based governance aligned with India’s constitutional values to ensure justice, dignity, and inclusion.
Pavan Mamidi emphasizes that building roads in tribal heartlands aims to foster peace and a sense of belonging, transforming roads into conduits of not just movement but also peace.
