With the arrival of the monsoon season, road conditions across the country have worsened, and the Telgaon Panchayat area in Gumla, Jharkhand, is no exception. Despite being located just 3 km from the district headquarters, the village lacks a proper road, leaving residents to navigate challenging terrain, especially during the rainy season. The unpaved road becomes muddy and waterlogged, making it nearly impossible for villagers to commute safely.
Fed up with waiting for government intervention, the villagers decided to take matters into their own hands. They collaborated to repair the 3 km stretch of road from Phulwar Toli to Chaha Barha Toli. Men, women, youth, and children all participated in the effort, collecting donations to cover the costs of tractors, raw materials, and other necessary expenses.
Rekha Kujur, a resident of the village, explained that the community had repeatedly informed the local administration and representatives about the deteriorating road conditions through written applications. However, their pleas went unanswered. “Every time we appeal to the local representatives, they only give assurances and exploit us, but the work is never done,” she said.
Another villager, Namita Lakra, highlighted the dangers posed by the poor road conditions, noting that several people had accidents. “We have now managed to construct a better passable road, but we hope that the government will construct a concrete road here soon which will make commuting much easier for everyone,” Lakra added.
The Jharkhand villagers’ efforts to improve their infrastructure underscore a broader issue in rural India, where inadequate road conditions continue to hinder daily life and economic activities. As the monsoon rains exacerbate these challenges, the residents of Telgaon Panchayat hope that their initiative will prompt the government to take swift action to provide a more permanent solution.