Roads and transportation is one of the most neglected sectors of planning in rural areas. It is a vital connection between villages and other growth hubs for economic purposes. Apart from livelihoods and trade, it directly influences health, education and overall well-being of people. The network of roads in rural areas is typically characterized by narrowness, curves, dead ends, no pavements, unlevelled roads and so on. Thus, there is an imposing challenge of planning for the roads and transportation sector in the rural areas based on the established procedures for urban traffic and transportation planning. As per the Constitution (Seventy-third Amendment) Act, 1992, Gram Panchayats have been endowed with powers of preparing and implementing their own plans for economic development, amongst many others. The key issues that are faced by Gram Panchayats during the planning process have been identified after staying in the two villages of Chikurde and Bhulane in Maharashtra for a period of two and a half months. The study of these two villages reveals a stark distinction between needs of different villages according to their location and stage of economic development. The nature of these differences has been highlighted. Also, the roles of various agencies involved in planning, funding, construction and maintenance of roads have been studied. Using Chikurde and Bhulane as case studies, a framework for a standardized baseline survey for roads and transportation in villages has been suggested