These Guidelines illustrate how Integrated Rural Accessibility Planning can be used at the Gram Panchayat level to augment the planning process.

Integrated Rural Accessibility Planning (IRAP) consists of a set of planning tools, which can help local government officials in the identification of rural infrastructure projects and associated services. IRAP tools are applied within the existing local level planning process and augment regular planning activities. IRAP tools will assist local officials in identifying investment priorities in the areas of local economic development, education, health, water supply, marketing and transport. The tools are designed to augment existing planning practices and not to replace these.

This Guideline describes the different planning tools based on IRAP for use at Gram Panchayat level. A team of ILO and Orissa experts has applied generic IRAP tools in 3 selected Gram Panchayats and has modified the tools for use within the Orissa context. The Guideline has been prepared for planners at all levels to inform them about the existence and relevance of the planning tools developed. A how-to-do manual, in Oriya, will accompany this Guideline. This manual will consist of step-by-step instructions on how to apply the different tools at Gram Panchayat level.