The Bengal government has decided to push infrastructure development in Sandeshkhali after last week's arrest of controversial local Trinamul strongman Sheikh Shahjahan and weeks of villagers' protests against him and his aides.

The move is aimed at earning the confidence of the villagers in the area, a senior government official said.

“With the arrest of Shahjahan, it is expected that law and order issues would come under the control of the police administration. Now, the civil administration can focus on development projects in the area. A series of development programmes in the area could help the administration earn the faith of villagers,” said a senior government official.

Sources said the state government has already received some demands from the villagers for the development of infrastructure through district authorities. Now, these demands are being looked into and special funds will be allotted for the projects.

According to sources, most complaints were related to the poor road network. Villagers have suggested that at least 10 roads be repaired immediately.

“Now, it is time to focus on the development of these roads.... First, it has to be seen who would take care of these roads. It appears that most of the roads have to be developed by the panchayat and rural development department. Detailed project reports for the roads would be prepared soon,” said an official.

For example, villagers have requested to develop a 500m road that runs from the Korakhti hospital to South Durga Mondap School. More than 700 people depend on this road maintained by the panchayat department.

“But the villagers alleged that the road was not repaired for 21 years. The panchayat department will be asked to inspect the road and prepare the DPR as early as possible,” said a source.

Villagers also pointed out that several roads on the island between 350m and 800m were not repaired over the 15 to 20 years.

“All the roads in the area will be inspected. If any road is in a bad shape, it will be repaired. If any new road is required to be laid, the state government would not hesitate to sanction it,” said a source.

The state government will also ask all departments like health, education, women and child welfare to inspect their infrastructure like schools, hospitals and anganwadi centres immediately. If any structure needs to be repaired, it will be with utmost urgency, bureaucratic sources said.

“The idea is to win the hearts of the people of Sandeskhali through development projects like it was done in Jungle Mahal a few years ago. When the Trinamul government came to power in 2011, Jungle Mahal was a troubled zone. The state government brought peace in the area through development projects,” said a bureaucrat.

The state government is checking every application received from villagers in recent days to find out if anybody is left out of the welfare schemes.

“Several people have applied for homes under the rural housing scheme. The government will try to reach out to them when it releases funds for rural housing as announced by the chief minister. Moreover, old-age pension and Krishak Bandhu schemes will also be extended to those who applied for benefits under these schemes,” said another official.