India, Feb. 22 -- In the mountains, roads are more than just paths from one place to another-they are lifelines. They connect people to schools, hospitals, and markets, making daily life easier and opportunities more accessible. For many remote villages in Uttarakhand, however, the wait for a proper road continues, shaping everyday realities in ways that outsiders rarely see.

In Surag and Bhagdhanu villages of Garud Block, Bageshwar District, the absence of a proper road is a challenge that residents navigate every day. The people here have adapted-carrying essentials on foot, finding their ways to reach schools and markets, and supporting each other through difficult times.

Yet, the dream of a well-built road remains. Kedar Singh, 70, ...