Infrastructure

Key Infrastructure expected in any area for developments are

1. Transport facility
2. Electricity
3. Water Supply

1. Transport facility

The 8 villages that we visited are poorly connected with nearby towns. Major town,
Chaibasa, which is 12 Kms away, is connected with Narrow kaccha Roads. Connection
with nearby towns was one of the major concerns raised by villagers. Some of the existing
roads are damaged and broken, which need urgent repair. Kaccha roads need to be
converted to Concrete broad roads. The lack of proper connectivity has an adverse effect
on healthcare facility as well, because people are unable to take patients to nearby towns
in time, during critical illness. The situation gets even worse during monsoons. Roads to
some of the villages have already been added to PMGSY but the construction has not
started for the past two years and only the raw materials have been dumped by the side of
the road.
Recommendation

Implementation of MNREGA for construction of Kaccha Road.

Implementation of existing PMGSY Road undertaken.
Upgradation of Narrow Chaibasa to Jinkpani Road to double lane road.

2. Electricity

Electricity is again a major source of worry in some of the villages. The electricity grid has
reached quite near to these villages but still some of the villages have not been electrified.
The villagers are dependent on kerosene lamps after dusk. In a particular village,
Gundipusi, every houses are provide with one solar panel each by the government but
these solar panel can support simply 2 bulbs and a small table lamp and too for just a few
hours.

Recommendation

The simplest solution considering long term pros and cons is distribution of solar panels in
large numbers to these villages, since expansion of electricity grid is a time consuming
process considering that more than 30percent of Indian villages have not been electrified
yet. The area receives sufficient sunlight to take care of electricity needs throughout the
year and it will also generate ample employment opportunities for the local population.
Another possible solution is to list the name of the village on the website of ministry of
power under the scheme UJALA, and follow up with the local administration to ensure
speedy electrification.

3. Water Supply

Water is required for drinking, daily use, irrigation and to support flora and fauna. Roro
River is running through the village but there is absence of infrastructure to use
running water for irrigation. Villagers are forced to use river water for daily use like
bathing, cleaning of clothes etc.

Issues, Number of ponds in the village are few. Currently construction of a pond is going
in one of the villages under MNREGA scheme and some of the people were employed in it
but there are two major grievances of villagers related to it.
Hand pump and wells are the most predominant drinking water sources in the tribal areas.
However, functionality of hand pumps and bore wells in these villages indicate the need of
setting systems for regular maintenance of hand pumps, bore wells and devising
mechanisms of repairs of these at the local level.
But since the number of hand pumps is less, the women in villages are forced to fetch
water for household purposes far away from their homes.

Recommendation

Since the area receives a reasonable amount of rainfall and has undulating topography,
there are opportunities to arrest run off losses by creating water retention structures.
Construction, repairs and maintenance of public wells and ponds as well as making
available drinking water for domestic use.
Giving advice of the Gram Panchatyats to regularize and utilize small reservoirs.