Kalsoom Abro
Access to rural Sindh remains a persistent challenge. Whenever I get the opportunity to return to my village, the journey itself becomes a painful reminder of long-standing neglect. Seeing the deteriorated condition of most rural roads across Sindh is deeply distressing. All routes leading to my village, Umar Bhayo-Garello in Taluko Bakrani, district Larkano, are little more than earthy paths, dirt tracks or gravel roads. These routes lack basic engineering standards and are extremely vulnerable to weather conditions, particularly floods and seasonal extremes. During rains or flooding, mobility becomes nearly impossible, cutting villages off from nearby towns and essential services and reinforcing a sense of isolation that rural communities continue to endure.
Poor infrastructure exacerbates poverty and inequality in the province by restricting the movement of people and goods and limiting access to essential services such as markets, healthcare and education. A lack of paved roads and reliable transportation creates significant barriers to economic opportunity and social inclusion.
Like many other districts, Larkano has unpaved roads that lack proper drainage systems and adequate pavement to sustain heavy traffic or withstand flooding, making them difficult to use during the rainy season. Rural connectivity is particularly weak in the south-eastern districts, along the coast and in the extensive arid and desert regions of the province. Inadequate expenditure and the absence of prioritized, cost-effective spending have created a cycle of declining road quality, leading to faster deterioration and higher long-term costs. Poor road conditions also contribute to traffic accidents, higher vehicle operating costs, longer travel times and reduced access to health and education facilities.
The Government of Sindh, in collaboration with international partners like the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the OPEC Fund for International Development, is undertaking key initiatives to improve rural connectivity. The Sindh Provincial Road Improvement Project (SPRIP) seeks to rehabilitate and upgrade major highways and rural roads, with hundreds of kilometers being widened and enhanced with better drainage and safety features.
In response to devastating floods, the Emergency Flood Assistance Project (EFAP) focuses on reconstructing damaged roads and bridges to restore connectivity and support economic recovery in affected rural areas, though full outcomes are yet to be realized. Efforts are also underway to strengthen the institutional capacity of the provincial Works & Services Department, update the Sindh road master plan and develop a modern road asset management system to improve maintenance planning. While these initiatives mark progress, the road network still requires substantial investment and sustained upkeep to meet national standards and serve the large rural population effectively. Improved rural roads remain a key driver of rural revitalization, facilitating economic growth and improving access to essential services.
Sindh’s rural development must be driven by infrastructure, particularly roads, to curb urban migration and boost local economies. This requires paved rural roads, universal access to basic utilities, economic diversification, environmental sustainability and development models aligned with the unique contexts of villages, with better integration of economic and environmental considerations in rural master plans.
The Sindh government, with support from international partners, has prioritized rural infrastructure in its Rs 1.018 trillion development strategy for FY2025–26. If these initiatives are fully realized, they can significantly enhance connectivity, support economic development and build climate resilience across rural Sindh.
— The writer is a Cuisine Expert, Climate and Environment activist based in Islamabad.
