Bardihah: In a significant step towards strengthening rural infrastructure and expanding livelihood opportunities, the first road construction project under the VB-G RAM G scheme in Bardihah block has been formally launched, with Bishrampur MLA Naresh Singh laying its foundation stone. The initiative has raised hopes among local residents for improved connectivity and greater access to employment within their own villages.
The project will connect Madrasa Chowk to the residence of Rambrat Chaudhary in Lava Champa village under Adar Panchayat, covering the locality known as Adarsh Nagar. Beyond improving rural access, the initiative is being viewed as an opportunity to link public infrastructure development with wage employment for local workers.
Block Development Officer Praveen Singh described the occasion as an important milestone for Bardihah. He noted that the MLA’s personal participation in the foundation-laying ceremony of a new block-level scheme was a notable development for the area.
Addressing the gathering, MLA Naresh Singh underlined the importance of construction quality, accountability and transparency in the execution of public works. Referring to roads built under MGNREGA that, he said, had deteriorated prematurely, he cautioned that substandard construction not only wastes public resources but also creates difficulties in subsequent maintenance. He urged officials and local representatives to ensure strict adherence to prescribed standards so that infrastructure projects deliver lasting benefits to rural communities.
The project also carries local significance in the naming of the settlement. According to BDO Praveen Singh, the name Adarsh Nagar was proposed for the locality during his field visit, with support from the Gram Sabha. The approval of the area’s first road project has now brought renewed attention to its development aspirations.
Emphasising the scheme’s potential to address rural distress, Singh appealed to job-card holders and workers who migrate in search of employment to approach the block office and seek work locally. He said the scheme provides for up to 125 days of wage employment, with a stated daily wage of ₹300 and payment within 15 days, subject to the applicable rules and provisions.
“Workers should come to the block office and demand employment rather than leave their homes in search of work elsewhere. The administration will facilitate employment opportunities under the scheme,” Singh said, stressing the importance of creating livelihood opportunities closer to workers’ homes.
For rural households, the availability of local employment can help reduce the financial and social pressures associated with seasonal migration, while road development can improve connectivity and access to essential services. The project’s long-term impact, however, will depend on the quality of construction, timely execution and effective implementation of the employment provisions.
Local women and villagers welcomed the initiative and expressed gratitude to the MLA and the block administration, voicing hope that the scheme would bring further development to the area.
Mukhiya Salma Bibi, Panchayat Secretary Lalan Ram, Gram Rozgar Sevak Shankar Singh, Junior Engineer Anikesh Kumar and hundreds of villagers attended the foundation-laying ceremony.