Two newly elected panchayat leaders from Dhubri district in Assam have taken the initiative to repair a crucial village road with their own money—drawing praise and gratitude from the local community. The road, located in Barjan village under the Dingdinga Gram Panchayat in Tamarhat, had been severely damaged by recent monsoon rains. Muddy, broken, and nearly impassable, the stretch had become a daily hazard for hundreds of villagers, particularly school children, farmers, and the elderly.But instead of waiting for government funding or district-level approvals, Ward Member Alamgir Mollah and Anchalik Panchayat Member Manzoor Alam rolled up their sleeves and acted.
“We gave people our word before the elections that this road would be fixed. Now is the time to prove that those promises were not just words,” said Manzoor Alam, standing amid heaps of gravel and slush as workers laid down a temporary roadbed. Using their own funds, the two leaders arranged for earth-moving equipment, construction materials, and laborers to carry out the repair work. The response from the public was immediate and heartwarming. Residents gathered to witness the work, offer tea and refreshments, and cheer on their representatives. “People needed this road fixed—not next year, not after another file moves through ten offices. They needed it now,” said Alamgir Mollah. “We are not doing this for publicity. We are doing this because this is what real leadership should look like.”
Barjan’s main road is essential for villagers’ daily commute to markets, schools, and healthcare centers. With the monsoon season in full swing, delays in repair would have posed serious risks, including isolation of the village in case of medical emergencies. For the residents of Barjan, this proactive move has restored more than just a damaged road. It has renewed their faith in grassroots governance.“This is the first time we are seeing our leaders act so quickly, without waiting for higher authorities. It gives us hope,” said Rashida Begum, a local resident.