This impetus in India's infrastructural scenario is synchronous with an interesting study conducted by the Asian Institute of Transport and Development (AITD) that links infrastructure projects like building of highways with socio-economic well being and poverty ameliorisation. Based on a survey of 5,934 villages along the 264-km long stretch of National Highway-2, falling in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand, the study found the incidence of poverty within 5 km of the highway to be lower by 16 %. Highways are seen to bring to the villages opportunities for employment in non-agricultural areas, greater mobility, as well as better access to education and health facilities.