The passage was still a rough cut through the rock. For years, there was no paved road.
Manjhi went looking for help. He traveled all the way to New Delhi to seek recognition for his work.
In 2006, by then in his seventies, he went to a public hearing held by Bihar's chief minister. When Manjhi came before him, the chief minister got up and offered Manjhi his own chair.
The chief minister promised a proper paved road through the mountain by 2010. The state also recommended Manjhi for the Padma Shri, one of India's top civilian honors.