DOI: https://doi.org/10.36347/sjahss.2025.v13i12.002

Pages: 527-540

This study investigates the relationship between road network development and regional growth across the five international border districts of Uttarakhand, a strategically sensitive Himalayan state adjoining China and Nepal. In a landscape defined by steep terrain, dispersed rural settlements, and recurring natural disasters, road connectivity emerges as the most critical factor shaping socio-economic conditions, mobility, and national security. Using both primary and secondary data, the research employs a spatial analysis approach in which road networks were manually digitized from satellite imagery and integrated with demographic, household, and disaster-related information. Analytical techniques, including network evaluation, correlation, density analysis, and variability measures, were applied to assess the transport–development linkage. Findings reveal pronounced disparities across districts. Udham Singh Nagar demonstrates near-universal connectivity and the strongest development indicators, benefiting from its plain’s terrain and dense road network. Mountainous districts such as Uttarkashi and Chamoli show low road density and large shares of unconnected villages, which correspond with weaker literacy performance, poorer housing conditions, and higher vulnerability to disasters. Pithoragarh and Champawat occupy an intermediate position, with partial connectivity supporting development only in accessible pockets. Across the region, literacy levels, household quality, and population stability correlate strongly with the extent of road access. Disaster-related assessments further show that roads and bridges account for the greatest infrastructure losses, highlighting the fragility of mobility systems in this hazard-prone environment. Overall, the study concludes that improving road accessibility, particularly in remote border villages, is essential for reducing regional inequalities, enhancing disaster resilience, enabling defence preparedness, and promoting bal