The West Bengal government launched its ambitious ‘Amader Para, Amader Samadhan’ (Our Neighbourhood, Our Solution) programme on Saturday, a Rs 8,000-crore initiative to address hyper-local issues like street lighting, road repairs, and water supply across the state’s districts. Unveiled by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on July 22, the first-of-its-kind scheme in India aims to empower communities ahead of the 2026 assembly elections.

The programme allocates Rs 10 lakh per polling booth, with a two-month camp phase starting August 2, followed by a 30-day administrative review and three months for implementation. In Kolkata Municipal Corporation areas, one camp serves every two booths. A state-level task force, led by Chief Secretary Manoj Pant, and district-level units will monitor progress, ensuring transparency via the portal apas.wb.gov.in, where citizens can track schedules, budgets, and project statuses.

“This is about deep listening and collaboration,” a senior official said, noting the initiative targets localized issues—such as installing water taps or electric poles—that civic bodies often overlook. Banerjee emphasized direct engagement, with government officials stationed at camps to register grievances and prioritize community-driven solutions. “You decide how your booth’s budget is spent,” a government advertisement declared, promoting the programme’s participatory ethos.

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Rooted in the vision of a self-reliant Bengal, the initiative reflects the Trinamool Congress government’s focus on inclusive policymaking. “This is unprecedented in India, placing people at the heart of governance,” a government statement said. With 500 camps operational on day one, the programme has sparked enthusiasm, though opposition parties like the BJP question its timing, alleging it’s an election-driven move. As Bengal gears up for 2026, the initiative aims to strengthen grassroots connectivity and address long-standing civic challenges.

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