Good roads pave the way for economic growth and prosperity. Bad roads take lives, break spines and limbs, and drain precious hours of productivity. They adversely affect trade, tourism and a range of economic activities. No country can truly prosper without safe and well-built roads. Yet building durable, climate-resilient and environmentally sound roads remains a major challenge for much of the developing world.
A 2023 report noted that 52% of all regional roads in Indonesia were estimated to be damaged. More than 40% of rural roads remain in sub-optimal condition, contributing to nearly 4,000 deaths annually and causing economic losses amounting to 2.9 to 3.1% of national GDP. Poor road conditions are often linked to unsustainable projects undertaken without thorough environmental appraisal. Heavy rains, cyclones, poor planning, deep-rooted corruption and the overuse of substandard construction materials further worsen the situation. Indonesia needs rigorous research and planning before constructing roads in eco-sensitive areas. It could also expand cycle routes, as seen in Japan and Denmark, to connect pilgrim and tourist destinations. Such measures would save fuel, improve public health and protect the environment, while preserving ancient temples and Buddhist pagodas that attract visitors from around the world.
Environmental sensitivity must guide infrastructure development. Any further ecological degradation could have crippling consequences for a country’s economy, culture and society. If countries such as Bangladesh, India and Pakistan had invested consistently in quality roads, they could have saved billions of dollars otherwise spent on repeated repairs and reconstruction. Poor road quality is also reported in countries such as Kuwait, Costa Rica, Georgia and Panama. Meanwhile, Libya, Thailand, South Africa and India record high accident rates, underlining the urgent need to weed out corrupt or incompetent contractors.
According to the World Health Organization, approximately 1.19 million people die each year in road accidents worldwide, and around 50 million suffer non-fatal injuries that often result in long-term disabilities. More than 90% of road traffic deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. In India alone, road accident fatalities reportedly reached 1.77 lakh in 2024, with an average of 485 deaths per day. This is a catastrophe that can be mitigated if developing nations engage competent and honest professionals in road construction and enforce strict accountability. Those responsible for building substandard roads, bridges and flyovers should face exemplary punishment.
Urban India offers stark examples. Barring a few well-maintained stretches in areas such as High Tech City, Gachibowli, Banjara Hills and Jubilee Hills, large parts of Hyderabad are riddled with potholes, poorly designed speed breakers and damaged manholes. Pedestrian pathways have virtually disappeared. In many parts of the city, roadside walls are misused as urinals, making walking difficult and posing serious public health risks. Similar civic challenges plague the historic city of Cuttack, where weak enforcement, inadequate monitoring and a lack of civic sense have compounded sanitation problems. Government offices, residential areas, public places and markets in many Indian cities suffer from poor maintenance and oversight. Rapid migration from villages to cities in search of livelihood has intensified the strain on urban infrastructure.
Roads form the foundation of economic, social and cultural life. Safe and well-maintained roads reflect the quality of governance and leadership. The economic losses caused by poor roads are immense: loss of life, medical expenses, permanent disabilities, vehicle maintenance costs, tyre replacements, psychological trauma and loss of employment due to injuries all weaken both the economy and social fabric. In low- and middle-income countries, these losses can have a paralysing effect. The annual global economic loss from road accidents is estimated to exceed $500 billion.
The World Health Organization should consider establishing a dedicated global mechanism to monitor road safety standards and issue early warnings to countries where infrastructure deficiencies pose serious risks. Ultimately, developing nations must converge around a shared commitment to building durable, environmentally responsible and high-quality roads. Such investment is not merely about transport; it is about inclusive growth, public safety and long-term prosperity.
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