In a remarkable display of unity, the remote tribal community of Kadnai village in Surguja district, Chhattisgarh, constructed a 365-meter road in just one week, enabling easier access to essential services and transforming daily life for its 1,363 residents across 287 households.

This initiative, guided by the Caritas India Gram Nirman project addressed the longstanding isolation of Kadnai—a village perched amid hills and forests with the nearest government block office 40 kilometers away. Previously, villagers traversed hazardous field bunds to reach the only connecting road, a challenge that not only impeded access to markets and medical services but also posed serious risks during emergencies. In critical situations, patients were forced to be carried on cots, and security concerns limited movement, particularly for children and women at night.

The transformation began in July 2021, when a series of Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) exercises, involving everyone from young children to the elderly, widows, and orphans, which ignited a strong sense of ownership among the villagers. Through discussions on leveraging local resources and improving community welfare, the residents identified the need for a proper road to bridge the gap between their isolated village and vital external services.

After the local panchayat’s efforts to resolve the issue fell short, the Gram Nirman team stepped in to facilitate the project in 2024. A detailed assessment of the challenging terrain led to the innovative decision that one member from each household would contribute three to four hours daily to the effort. The collective commitment of all 287 families culminated in the construction of the road, significantly enhancing connectivity and safety.

The road project is just one part of a broader vision for rural upliftment. Energized by their success, Kadnai villagers are now pursuing other community-driven initiatives, such as collective farming and actively engaging with government departments to secure benefits and schemes. Recently, the community developed a comprehensive Village Development Plan (VDP) with the help of the Gram Nirman team.

This roadmap has already resulted in tangible improvements: beneficiaries have received support under schemes like Dabri Nirman and land-leveling from MGNREGA, while several 22 community members have been added to ration cards, 8 issued new PDS cards, and 14 families received Pradhan Mantri Awas and 50 received Ayushman cards. Additionally, access to a solar irrigation system has enabled 12 farmers to cultivate peas, wheat, and green vegetables during the summer on 9 acres of land.

Kadnai’s journey—marked by collective effort and empowered decision-making—exemplifies how grassroots initiatives can complement government efforts to build a Saksham Bharat. The community’s achievement not only brings immediate practical benefits but also serves as an inspiring model for rural development, where every step taken together leads to a more secure and self-sufficient future.