Hazaribagh, Feb. 6: Women of Jorakath did what men of the village couldn’t — construct a road.

In spite of several pleas, the authorities failed to build a road connecting Jorakath to Badam, a neighbouring village.

The men of the village made futile attempts to convince the authorities to build the road.

After the men failed to convince the officials, the women decided to build a 3-km road to Badam on their own.

According to Sohagi Devi, one of the workers, earlier they had to walk through several fields to go to the other village. But after the construction of the road a month ago, it became easier for them to commute, she added. Many of these women also formed a group to save a forest around the village. Sohagi said women used to visit the forest and tie rakhis to prevent people from cutting trees.

They formed eight groups comprising 20 members each to look after the forest during the day, she said.

Each group guards the forest on a rotation basis. Sohagi added that they would soon start a plantation drive in the area.

Many of the women from other villages like Sehda and Chapri have joined the women’s group and started similar campaigns in their areas.