Locals pool money, provide voluntary labour to build a road in Chatra

Time of India

7 days ago

Chatra: Locals of a panchayat in Kunda block of the district have raised funds and provided voluntary labour to build a road which will connect their hamlet to district and block headquarters.
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The 3 km road, which runs from Harul to Chitwari village under Baudhadih panchayat, was built by ploughing through the portion of a hill.
In the absence of a pucca road, locals had to walk through undulating terrain which made their lives miserable, they said. Last week, they went on a fundraising drive. Every household in the village donated Rs 200-500 for the cause. "We took up spades to work the road. Our aim was to make it fit for walking.
An earthmover was roped in to plough a portion of a hill. The road will benefit over 2,000 families who live in the area," Raghu Ganjhu, a local, said.
Sixty men and women got down to work and paved the road within five days. "The work started on Monday and was completed on Friday," Raghu said.
Nandkishore Ganjhu, another resident of Baudhadih panchayat, said, "Political parties and their candidates come and make promises before an election.
Then, they forget. For items of daily use, we must travel to Kunda block by trekking through the fields and hilly terrain."
Binod Saw, the mukhiya of Baudhadih panchayat, admitted that the absence of a pucca road was posing problems for the locals. "After learning about their problem, I got a road project passed through the gram sabha. But it was taking time. So, the locals built the road themselves by raising Rs 40,000. I will ensure that the road is paved soon," Saw said.