Does Infrastructure Affect Human Development? Evidences from Odisha, India

In pursuit of achieving and maintaining high human development, infrastructure is said to play a critical role. The present paper examines the spatial disparities in infrastructural facilities and human development across 30 districts of Odisha, and consequently, tries to find out the impact of infrastructure on human development in the state. The study records significant regional disparities in the level of human development as well as infrastructural development in Odisha. It applies panel data model to examine the effects of composite infrastructure index and its individual components on human development and its three dimensions. The study establishes close linkage between infrastructure and human development. Telecommunication, postal services, village electricity, banking, school, PTR and drinking water facilities play significant roles in the process of attaining high level of human development. The less developed districts of Odisha are primarily dominated by tribal population. In order to achieve high and sustained human development, the state needs to prioritize its efforts towards infrastructure creation for these regions.