For years, residents of Lambloo village in Hamirpur ached for a road connecting the interiors to the main highway. Governments changed, and village heads came one after another, but no budget allocation was made for a stretch that would ease the transport woes.
A couple of weeks ago, three residents of Lambloo village decided to take matters into their own hands. Vishal Kanungo, Vishal Bharadwaj, and Ashok Kumar pooled money and carried out road construction works with their own resources. The villagers hired a heavy construction vehicle to flatten a portion of the stretch in Lambloo connecting the Hamirpur bypass road.
The villagers spent more than Rs 20,000 from their own pocket to help construct a portion of the road. The local residents promised that they would contribute more money as long as the work gets done. The efforts of the locals have been backed by the gram panchayat and its 81-year-old pradhan Kartar Singh Chauhan.
“For many years, there had been a demand by the residents that a road should be built on the stretch in the local forest area. The land has mixed ownership. The three villagers are a source of inspiration as they have shown the way to others. Their initiative will help the local residents and will pave the way for better transport,” said Kartar Singh, gram pradhan Lambloo.
From the main highway, a narrow lane cuts into the Lambloo colony where houses are situated on either side. Within the colony, another rough patch traverses a small forest area and opens up to a petrol pump on the Hamirpur bypass. The small patch can be accessed by residents of Lambloo, Ghumarin, and Gumar, but the 1-km stretch remained barren for years.
“After discussing with the pradhan, the three of us decided to arrange a JCB and begin construction on a portion of the road as the land is owned by us,” said Vishal Bharadwaj, one of the three locals who contributed to the road construction.
Local residents in the area said buses would be able to ply the stretch of road once it is finished. The road will also provide better access to school and the local health centre in Lambloo.
“Once the road is finished, it will bring along other development. Many local residents are willing to give their land for development activities. More health centres can be opened and the access to the highway will also mean better trade for locals,” said Kartar Singh.
As the word spread that the locals have joined hands to build a road, the authorities also got involved in it. The gram pradhan informed the public works department (PWD) and the construction of the road has been included in a central government scheme. The local residents have hailed it as a victory of public effort over government apathy.
Indian Express
