Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Healthcare Accessibility and Infrastructure Gaps in Rural Maharashtra

Research Paper | 2026 | Volume 1 | Issue 02 | Page 09-20

Mr. Rahul Khandu Kadam, Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, SMBST College Sangamner

Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Healthcare Accessibility and Infrastructure Gaps in Rural Maha.

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Abstract

Rural Maharashtra faces critical challenges in healthcare delivery due to vast geographical variations and socio-economic disparities. This research paper evaluates the spatio-temporal dynamics of healthcare accessibility and infrastructure gaps across rural micro-regions of the state over a ten-year period from 2015 to 2025. Utilizing geographic information systems, nearest neighbor analysis, and spatial buffering techniques, the study maps the physical distance and travel time required for rural populations to reach Sub-Centers, Primary Health Centers, and Community Health Centers. The temporal analysis reveals that while the absolute number of healthcare facilities increased by approximately twelve percent over the decade, the spatial distribution remains highly skewed. Severe infrastructural deficits, including shortages of skilled medical personnel, lack of diagnostic equipment, and inadequate maternal care units, persist in the tribal and hilly tracts of regions like Gadchiroli, Nandurbar, and parts of the Western Ghats. In contrast, rural areas adjacent to major urban corridors show significantly better development indicators. The findings demonstrate that linear, population-based norms for establishing healthcare centers fail to account for rugged topography and low population density, leaving vulnerable communities geographically isolated. The paper concludes with a comprehensive, spatially optimized planning framework that suggests replacing standard population-based thresholds with travel-time contour modeling to bridge the existing healthcare divide and ensure equitable rural health coverage.

Keywords: Spatio-Temporal Analysis, Healthcare Accessibility, Infrastructure Gaps, Rural Maharashtra, Geographic Information Systems, Spatial Equity.