Roads to Culture - The Role of Infrastructure in Shaping the Untouched Cultural Landscape of Jhunjhunu District, Rajasthan

Abstract

This paper explores the inclusive cultural landscapes of the Jhunjhunu district in Rajasthan, focusing on road connectivity patterns and the challenges associated with them. It discusses broader state-level trends in road development. It investigates how infrastructure can influence heritage preservation and related commercial development at the district level, despite Jhunjhunu being an administrative headquarters and a commercially successful town. Despite the establishment of government bodies for the preservation of heritage with the inflow of road infrastructure, the lack of adequate planning has hurt the sustainable growth of the district. The lesser-known issue of poorly organized roads negatively impacts the district\'s image of well-known heritage sites, particularly concerning accessibility and recognition. On the other hand, the study highlights the role of government projects in fostering cultural development with commercial activities. A key focus is the comprehensive analysis of year-based road network patterns, followed by the important temporal trends. Utilizing secondary data, including maps, flow charts, and supporting materials from QGIS and other spatial data, the study examines both challenges and opportunities. It demonstrates how infrastructure can benefit heritage-rich yet overlooked districts like Jhunjhunu. This study is motivated by the need for heritage preservation and infrastructural development for robust sustainability in these sectors, and it aims to inform government officials, administrators, urban planners, and policymakers about how road development can harmonize modern needs with cultural preservation in historically and economically significant areas

Introduction

Rajasthan, the “Land of Kings,” is famous for its cultural richness, palaces, forts, and frescoed havelis, especially in regions like Shekhawati (Jhunjhunu, Sikar, Churu). Despite this, some historically rich towns in Jhunjhunu remain under-recognized compared to better-connected pilgrimage sites like Khatu Shyam.

2. Key Issues Identified

• Uneven tourism recognition: Mandawa and Nawalgarh attract more tourists, while other culturally significant towns in Jhunjhunu are overlooked.

• Infrastructure gaps: Poor road quality and connectivity hinder access to cultural and spiritual sites (e.g., Rani Sati temple).

• Rural dependence on roads: Roads are vital for farmers, students, artisans, and emergency healthcare access.

• Infrastructural disparity: Development often favors new roads over the maintenance of existing ones or those that connect to cultural sites.

3. Role of PMGSY and World Bank

• Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), launched in 2000, aimed to provide all-weather roads in rural India.

• In Jhunjhunu:

  • Road length grew from 2 km (2001) to 101 km (2023) under PMGSY.

  • World Bank Group support since 2004 has helped connect remote areas despite harsh terrains (sandy, rocky).

4. Cultural and Road Interrelation

• Roads and heritage are closely linked: roads can themselves be historic, shape landscapes, and connect or isolate heritage sites.

• Often, district-level cultural roads are understudied, which limits the development of areas like Jhunjhunu.

• Literature emphasizes the need for heritage-sensitive infrastructure and sustainable planning to support cultural tourism.

5. Literature Review Highlights

• Mishra (2025): Advocates renewable energy and heritage-aware designs for sustainable tourism.

• Shukla & Sankar (2025): Highlight need for road modernization in India, especially for heritage-rich areas like Shekhawati.

• Grazuleviciute-Vileniske (2010): Classifies cultural heritage in road contexts, stressing roads as cultural elements.

• Mouratidis (2020): Notes the balance between technical progress in road building and the need for sustainable management.

• Yasin et al. (2024): Show how poor infrastructure hinders rural tourism in Ethiopia—parallels Jhunjhunu's issues.

6. Methodology

• Based on state-level tourism and transport data, road and rail surveys, and secondary research.

• Tools: QGIS, SDG reports, government publications, maps, statistical charts.

• Timeframe: 2015 to 2023.

• Comparative percentage analysis of tourist trends and road expansion in Jhunjhunu.

• Focus on both internal (state-led) and external (World Bank-aided) infrastructure schemes.

7. Findings

• Tourism trends in Jhunjhunu show gradual growth, though not proportional to its cultural potential.

• Road expansion has occurred, but heritage-linked roads remain underdeveloped.

• Cultural access is increasing but remains limited by infrastructure gaps and lack of inclusive development.

• The study emphasizes the need for equitable heritage development, better last-mile connectivity, and sustainable road planning.

Conclusion

Road infrastructure has played a transformative role in shaping the cultural and economic landscape of the Jhunjhunu district. Improved connectivity has enhanced access to heritage sites, pilgrimage routes, rural markets, and educational and healthcare facilities, thereby fostering tourism and supporting local livelihoods. The growth of road networks from 2015 to 2023 reflects the impact of sustained government efforts. However, unplanned expansion and inadequate preservation of heritage continue to threaten historic havelis and frescoes. This study emphasizes that infrastructure alone cannot guarantee sustainable cultural growth. A balanced approach that integrates modern road development with heritage-sensitive planning is essential to protect Jhunjhunu’s unique cultural identity while promoting tourism and regional development. Thus, roads serve not only as pathways for mobility but also as critical instruments for harmonizing economic progress with cultural preservation.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Swati .. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.