Villagers in Chownda Sirain, Rudraprayag, have started building the Chownda-Murchonda-Paligaad road through voluntary labour after years of seeking the route. Residents began the work on 16 October, saying the demand had still not been addressed by the administration.

The issue moved to the district administration after members of the struggle committee—Jasodhar Semwal, Lakshmi Prasad Dimri and Bhagat Chauhan—met officials and submitted a memorandum. A subsequent meeting was held under the chairmanship of District Magistrate Vishal Mishra.

The villagers’ action has drawn attention to their demand for road connectivity in a remote area. The residents say no government official had reached the worksite before the administrative meeting.

Officials directed to visit the site

During the meeting, Mishra reprimanded Public Works Department officials over the issue. He instructed the sub-divisional magistrate, executive engineer and divisional forest officer to visit the site and discuss the matter with the villagers.

The direction places the next step with the concerned officials, who are expected to assess the situation on the ground and engage with the struggle committee. The available information does not confirm that construction has received final approval or that formal work by a government department has begun.

Villagers warn of election boycott

Jasodhar Semwal said residents had been demanding the road for a long time. He warned that people from Chownda Sirain would boycott the assembly election if construction did not begin before the election.

Lakshmi Prasad Dimri said people in remote villages continue to remain without basic facilities. Bhagat Chauhan urged the administration to give priority to the problems faced by hill villages.

The warning links the road demand to the timing of the election. However, the account does not provide an election date or confirm any decision by the administration to begin construction.

What happens next

The immediate development is the district magistrate’s instruction for the sub-divisional magistrate, executive engineer and divisional forest officer to meet the villagers at the site. Residents are now waiting to see what response comes from that visit and whether it leads to further action on the Chownda-Murchonda-Paligaad road demand.

Conclusion

Chownda Sirain villagers have continued their road campaign through voluntary labour since 16 October. After their memorandum and meeting with District Magistrate Vishal Mishra, the concerned officials have been directed to visit the site, while the struggle committee has warned of an election boycott if work does not begin before the assembly election.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Which road are the villagers demanding?

The villagers are demanding construction of the Chownda-Murchonda-Paligaad road in Rudraprayag.

Q. When did the villagers begin voluntary labour?

They began building the route through voluntary labour on 16 October.

Q. Who represented the struggle committee?

Jasodhar Semwal, Lakshmi Prasad Dimri and Bhagat Chauhan met officials and submitted a memorandum.

Q. What did District Magistrate Vishal Mishra order?

He directed the sub-divisional magistrate, executive engineer and divisional forest officer to visit the site and speak with the villagers.

Q. What warning did the struggle committee issue?

The committee warned that Chownda Sirain residents would boycott the assembly election if road construction did not begin before the election.

Q. Has government construction started?

The available information confirms that villagers began the work themselves, but it does not confirm that departmental construction has started.