Five Villages in Gumla Threaten to Boycott 2029 Elections Over Road, Bridge Demands

Residents of five villages in Billingbira panchayat of Jharkhand’s Gumla district have threatened to boycott the 2029 elections if the administration fails to construct a proper road connecting their villages and a bridge over a river that obstructs their access to the outside world.

The villagers, who have struggled with poor connectivity for years, announced their decision during a meeting held on Saturday with social worker Kamal Kishore Kisan, who visited the area to hear their grievances.

Raising the slogan “No road, no vote”, the residents warned that they would launch an agitation if their long-standing demands remained unfulfilled.

The five affected villages are Goindhara, Laukhmahan, Jamjhariya Charkha, Godi Billing and Siri Raytoli. Together, they comprise around 150 households, whose residents face difficulties travelling to the main road and Palokot block headquarters.

According to the villagers, Goindhara is located approximately four kilometres from the Keratoli main road. Despite repeated demands for better connectivity, the village can still be reached only by an unpaved road. During the monsoon, the route deteriorates considerably, making it difficult for vehicles to reach the settlement.

## River crossing becomes a major obstacle

The absence of a bridge over the Chutiya Dooba river further compounds the problem. Residents said rising water levels during the rainy season make crossing the river particularly difficult, disrupting everyday movement and access to essential services.

Poor road connectivity and the lack of a bridge affect residents seeking healthcare, education and other basic facilities. The villagers said the route was their principal means of reaching Palokot block headquarters, leaving them especially vulnerable when heavy rainfall makes travel difficult.

They alleged that despite years of appeals, no permanent solution had been implemented.

## Repeated appeals have yielded little, villagers say

Residents said they had submitted applications to government officials, elected representatives, MLAs and ministers, seeking construction of the road and bridge.

They had also submitted a written representation to former Gumla Deputy Commissioner Sushant Gaurav, drawing attention to the difficulties faced by the five villages.

According to the villagers, MLA Bhushan Bara had visited the area and assured them that a bridge would be constructed. However, they said the assurance had yet to translate into concrete action.

The prolonged delay has fuelled resentment among residents, who feel their concerns have repeatedly been overlooked despite approaching the authorities and political representatives.

## Residents warn of further protests

During Saturday's meeting, villagers said they had continued to vote in successive elections in the hope that their elected representatives would address their basic infrastructure needs. However, they alleged that the situation had remained unchanged despite promises made during election campaigns.

The residents said assurances alone were no longer sufficient and demanded concrete steps towards constructing the four-kilometre road and a bridge over the Chutiya Dooba river.

They announced that they would consider a vote boycott in the 2029 elections if the demands were not met. They also threatened to intensify their agitation, including surrounding the Deputy Commissioner's office and blocking roads if necessary.

The villagers resolved to continue raising their concerns until the administration takes tangible action. It remains to be seen when the concerned departments and district authorities will respond to their demands.

Several residents attended the meeting, including Baldev Singh, Keshar Singh, Nirmal Singh, Kuldeep Singh, Jaipal Singh, Deepnarayan Singh, Bal Govind Singh, Niranjan Singh, Jai Narayan Singh, Parmeshwar Singh, Dilu Kharia, Shyam Sundar Singh, Budheshwar Singh, Mohan Nath Singh, Pradyuman Singh, Narendra Kumar Singh, Rukmani Devi, Kamla Devi, Janki Devi, Phulmani Devi, Sarita Devi and Baleshwari Devi, among others.