Frustrated by government inaction, nearly 300 villagers in Jharkhand’s Khunti district joined hands to build a makeshift diversion road across the Banai river, where a bridge on a highway connecting Jharkhand with Odisha had collapsed nearly 80 days ago.
Residents of Pelol village and adjoining hamlets such as Bichna, Kinjla, Angara Badi, Sarit Khel, Ghaghra, Dorma, Sungi and Hassa came together under the leadership of village head Shiv Shankar Tiru.
Villagers said that they had lost faith in the “hollow promises” of Khunti MLA Ram Suryamunda and the district administration.
“Whether it is schoolchildren, pregnant women, farmers or traders—everyone has been suffering. Since the bridge collapsed, no step was taken by officials. We had no option but to contribute our labour and build this diversion road ourselves,” a villager said.
According to villagers, around ₹10,000 was raised through local contributions. Stones, cement bags, sand, and soil were gathered from nearby areas to construct a road more than 200 metres long and five metres wide. The work is expected to be completed by Monday evening.
A farmer Mahesh Mahato, who also took part in the effort, alleged that the government had failed in addressing basic civic needs. “The MLA had laid a foundation stone for the diversion road back in June, but not a single stone was placed. No official ever visited us,” he said.
The bridge had collapsed on June 19 following heavy rains, drawing attention when a viral video showed schoolchildren climbing a 25-foot bamboo ladder to cross the broken structure.
Meanwhile, Khunti Deputy Commissioner R Ronita said the district administration had already forwarded the work to the Road Construction Division (RCD).
“The tender has been finalised and work orders issued for both repair of the bridge and a diversion road. I will find out why construction has not yet started,” she said.
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