Jharkhand: After 78 Years of Independence, Jamtara Village Finally Gets a Paved Road—Made Possible by Villagers Donating Their Own Land

Jamtara: Even after 78 years of India’s independence, Pahrudih—a remote village in Jharkhand’s Jamtara district—remained without a proper road. No four-wheeler could reach the village, forcing residents to carry patients on makeshift cots all the way to the main road before an ambulance could be accessed. After decades of struggle and neglect, it was finally the collective resolve of the villagers that made the difference: they donated their own land to make way for a long-pending road.

With the land issue resolved, the road has now been approved under the Chief Minister Rural Road Scheme. The foundation stone for the 2.1-km stretch between Pahrudih and Raghunathpur in Narayanpur block was laid on Sunday by State Health Minister Irfan Ansari. For the first time, joy and relief were visible on the faces of the villagers, whose decades-old demand is finally becoming a reality.

A 60-Family Tribal Village That Fought for Basic Connectivity

Pahrudih is home to around 450 people from 60 tribal households. For generations, they demanded a pucca road, but no administration took concrete steps. Eventually, the community unanimously decided to donate the required portions of their own land. Only after this historic gesture did the government approve the road construction on 16 November.

Healthcare Access: A Daily Struggle

The nearest sub-health centre is located 6 km away in Pabia, while the Jamtara Sadar Hospital is 7 km from the village. Poor roads made it impossible for ambulances to reach the village, especially during the monsoon. Villagers were often forced to carry patients on cots or handcarts to the main road—a delay that, in several cases, cost lives. Most villagers survive on daily wage labour under MGNREGA, making mobility essential for livelihood.

Lack of Basic Amenities

Despite statewide initiatives like the ‘Aadi Karma Yogi’ campaign, awareness and implementation in Pahrudih have been minimal. Even basic facilities like a water tank are still missing. Villagers say that hardly any development initiative from block or district offices ever reached them.

What the Villagers Say

Rasmunee Kisku, a resident, said:
“Since before Independence, we have been demanding a pucca road. No one heard us. Only after we donated our land did work finally begin. We are very happy that the road is becoming a reality.”

Another villager, Aniti Murmu, shared:
“Without a road, taking patients to a hospital was a big challenge. We would carry them on cots to Pabia health centre. With the new road, we will finally have ambulance access.”

Ratan Marandi added:
“After 78 years of Independence, we are finally getting a pucca road—and that too because the villagers donated land. We have suffered for years, but now there is hope for a better future.”

District Panchayat Member’s Statement

District Panchayat Member Deepika Besra said:
“The people of Pahrudih faced immense difficulties, particularly during the monsoon. With the combined efforts of villagers and public representatives, the foundation stone has been laid today. There will be no obstacles in the development of this area anymore.”