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Most of the VDCs/PMCs formed under different SIPP villages could not complete their road sub-projects implementation within stipulated timeframe during 1^st year. In case of most villages road sub-project implementation delayed significantly creating enormous backlog for the second year rural development works. But the Chalk Para VDC/PMC created an example in this regard by completing the road sub-projects implementation within timeframe, which could be a reference for other VDCs/PMCs.

SIPP is now entered into second year and is working in 189 villages selected from 15 Unions under three Upa-zilas in Jamalpur District. One of the second year villages is Chalk Para village under 14 No. Digpait Union of Jamalpur Sadar Upa-zila.

In this village about 3.624 km earthen road reconstruction work has been completed successfully in a timely manner. A joint initiative of PMC and VDC of this village with generous support from the villagers made it possible to complete the road sub-project implementation within two months. Here, the preliminary work on this road sub-project started on 28 November ‘04 with the measurement of road by the PMC with the assistance of CSO. PAST was the completed its appraisal by 13 February ’05. The real implementation works started on 9 March ‘05 through a formal inauguration ceremony, which was ended on 16 May 05. The PMC finally handed over the project to the VDC on 18 May ‘05 when the officials of SDF were also present there.  

In SIPP it is a rear instance, because road sub-project implementation normally comes to delay due of delay in community contribution collection. While doing this case study, PMA team thus inquired the VDC and PMC of Chalk Para village to know how they were being successful in collecting community contribution so timely from the villagers. It can be mentioned here that as per SIPP project approval strategy, villagers had to contribute 10% of the total cost of the road sub-project before project implementation starts.  

In reply to the query of PMA team, the VDC/PMC of Chalk Para village mentioned that they had a firm determination from very beginning to complete the road sub-project within timeframe. To ensure that they put enormous emphasis on timely collection of community contribution from the villagers. For this purpose, they formed a special team consisting of 10 members involving VDC and PMC members as well as some interested villagers belong to civil society group for community contribution collection. The special team, dividing into small sub-groups, visited all the households door-to-door in the Chalk Para village and convinced them about the benefits of timely deposit of community contribution. This mechanism made them successful to collect community contribution from 450 households out of total 460 households live in this village within a shortest possible time.  

It is also worth to mention here that before starting door-to-door household visit, the VDC and PMC of the Chalk Para village organized special meeting among themselves to decide about the amount of contribution being collected from different households depending on their economic status. In this meeting it was decided to collect lowest Tk.10 from the hardcore poor families and highest Tk.1,000 from the well of families. Accordingly they made a list of households with amount of contribution and shared the list with the villagers. Applying this strategy, the VDC/PMC of Chalk Para village were able to collect Tk.79,847 in cash and an amount equivalent of Tk. 39,923 in kind as 10% cash and 5% in kind community contribution respectively against the total approved project budget of Tk. 798,468 for the said road sub-project. 

Under this road sub-project, five connecting roads, distinguished by putting numbers R1, R2, R3, R4 & R5, were reconstructed according to Community Action Plan (CAP) that was prepared for Chalk Para village at the inception stage of SIPP. Before reconstruction work, the widths of these roads at the top were 6-8 feet. After reconstruction work, in case of 3 roads, the width at the top become 10 feet and in case of 2 roads the width at the top become 12 feet. Now two rickshaws can easily pass through these roads. The height of these roads also raised from 1 to 4 feet on average than the previous height. 

The villagers and the VDC/PMC members of the Chalk Para village also claimed that the roads reconstructed from SIPP are quite different in quality than the roads normally construct from other sources such as from LEGD. As the PMA team asked explanation in support of their claim, they mentioned that – “no such rules and regulations are strictly followed by other sources as we followed in case of road constructed under SIPP. Here every piece of work has been done following exactly what was stated in the proposal. Most importantly the out look and temper of the earthen roads depend on layer-by-layer compaction work and turfing (slope covered with grass). Where proper leveling of a road also ensures the protection of road itself from rain and ultimately from rain cut. In the construction of roads under SIPP all these factors were taken into serious consideration and the works have been done properly in presence of engineers. Even each road was benched strongly before filling by earth. As a result the longevity of earthen roads constructed under SIPP will be longer than any other roads constructed from any other sources”.  

Apart from questioning about quickness and quality of works in road sub-project implementation by Chalk Para VDC/PMC, PMA team also questioned them about other benefits from road sub-projects. In reply they mentioned that instantly the projects created employment for 40 - 45 poor people being engaged in earthwork. Most of them worked for about 40 days and earned Tk.4,000-5,000 – as told by Abul Samad, a day laborer. Where another group of villagers were engaged in compaction and turfing works. They also worked for 8-22 days and earned Tk.100/day – also added by Kaium and Abul Kalam – the day laborers. Labors are also happy with wage rate and timely payment of wages.  

According to Kaium, a 65 years old villager, “Chalk Para villagers never saw such quality of work and community participation in rural development after liberation. All the poor villagers contributed Tk.10 willingly as community contribution”. He also added that – “some of the farmers of the Chalk Para village were not willing initially to allow soil collection from their land. But finally they realized the collective benefits and spare their land for soil collection. Villagers are now plating different tress like Mango, Kathal, Pitraj, etc. at the edges of the newly reconstructed roads. To see that we feel enormous enjoy really.” 

According to Safiqual Islam, PMC Cashier, and Nurun Nahar (Jutshna), VDC member, “the people of Chalk Para village in fact gained a lot from this sub-project. First, it has built a cohesion and unity among the villagers. Secondly, it has proved their collective strength that they can do any work putting all their individual strength together. This has thus given birth to a new belief in the ability and collective strengths of the poor villagers. More importantly, the villagers learned how to sacrifice individual interest for the greater interest of the larger community”.  Now they are thinking to take further initiative for maintenance of these newly reconstructed roads in future. Meanwhile, the committee members and the villagers repaired some of the fractures created at some locations on these roads due to rainfall.