How Periyarkavala Villagers Repaired Their Road: A Story of Resilience & Self-Reliance
Periyarkavala village, situated along the Periyar River in the Idukki district, relies on farming and daily wage labor for its livelihood. With its rich soil, the village thrives on cultivating cardamom and coffee.
Monsoon Landslides & Unsafe Roads: A Recurring Challenge in Idukki Villages
However, it faces significant challenges during the monsoon season. Landslides frequently threaten villagers’ homes and farms, while the overgrown and dangerous road connecting them to the outside world adds to their hardships. For children, the journey to school is perilous, fraught with fears of snakes and hidden dangers.
Our team mobilized the people to repair their road, leveraging their grassroots wisdom and local resources.
How Rural Communities in India Repair Roads Without Government Help
The villagers identified and pooled their shared resources—tools, power, and unwavering determination—to tackle the road. Their unity was fueled by a deep-seated sense of responsibility for their community’s well-being. As they worked under the sun, they laughed and enjoyed each other’s company, making the difficult task feel more manageable.
By the end of the second day, the transformation was remarkable. The road was cleared, and the ditches were filled, making it safe for passage once again. Children could now walk to school without fear, and families could travel safely. The repaired road was not merely a safer path but a testament to the community’s resilience and unwavering determination.
Before road making
Villagers making road
After road making
Community-Led Infrastructure Repair: A Model for Rural Development
In a world where people often seek outside assistance, the people of Periyarkavala village demonstrated a remarkable spirit of self-reliance. By mobilizing their resources, motivating each other, and enabling change through unity, they created a tangible solution to a recurring problem. Their success serves as an inspiration, proving that sometimes the most powerful solutions originate from within.
Rural infrastructure is more than just roads—it is a bridge out of multidimensional poverty. Improved connectivity leads to better access to education, healthcare, and livelihoods, reducing forced migration and enhancing community resilience. The National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) has long emphasized that rural infrastructure development directly improves living standards by creating jobs, increasing productivity, and ensuring essential services reach those who need them most. Periyarkavala’s road repair is a testament to how even small infrastructure projects can transform lives, proving that sustainable development begins at the grassroots level.
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Reference:
Mittal, Nishchal. 2024. “Good Infrastructure Can Reduce Rural Poverty.” Indian Economic Service, July 3, 2024. https://www.ies.gov.in/pdfs/DOC-20240704-WA0000.pdf
