The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), established by the United Nations in 2015, provide auniversal framework to address global challenges such as poverty, inequality, and environmentaldegradation by 2030. In Uttarakhand, a Himalayan state characterized by rugged terrain and climaticchallenges, all-weather roads are critical for achieving SDGs related to poverty alleviation (SDG 1),health and well-being (SDG 3), economic growth (SDG 8), and sustainable infrastructure (SDG 9). Thispaper examines the role of all-weather roads in enhancing connectivity, fostering socio-economicdevelopment, and addressing environmental sustainability in Uttarakhand. Through a mixed-methodsapproach, including qualitative policy analysis and quantitative data on road connectivity, the studyevaluates the impact of initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY). It identifieschallenges such as environmental degradation, funding constraints, and disaster vulnerability,proposing strategies for sustainable road construction. The findings highlight the transformativepotential of all-weather roads in achieving SDGs while emphasizing the need for eco-friendly anddisaster-resilient infrastructure.
Diwakar Boudha (2026) studied this question.