Even after tall claims of the State government, residents of many villages in the rural belts of Odisha continue to suffer due to lack of proper road connectivity.
In the latest instances, residents of Bandhumunda under Ranpur block of Nayagarh district and Radhakrushnapur panchayat in Athagarh block of Cuttack district reportedly made wooden bridges by themselves alleging apathy of the administration.
The residents of Bandhumunda alleged that their numerous pleas to the government for the construction of a bridge fell on deaf ears. Sans bridge, they cross a water body using a makeshift bridge made out of wood.
“The villagers are facing a lot of issues and are unable to avail proper medical service during emergencies. There is no motorable road for ambulance,” said Chandan Maharana, a health worker.
Expressing her displeasure over alleged government apathy, a local said that it is difficult to cross the river by walking, how can ambulance pass through such road.
“We have received the complaint of the villagers and have informed our higher authorities so that the issue will be solved and locals will be benefited,” Jyotiprakash Sethi Ranpur BDO.
The road to the bridge connects Ranla, Badachakunda and Dimiribadi of this block of Nayagarh. As per locals, construction of a bridge was sanctioned by the government, but no one knows when the construction of the bridge will be finished.
Similarly, residents of Radhakrishnapur’s Ward No. 3 of Athagarh block in Cuttack district decided to take the matter in their own hands after repeated requests for a bridge fell on deaf ears.
The villagers made a temporary bridge for their day-to-day livelihood works.
Apart from the bridge, the villagers also alleged that they are deprived of houses under the government schemes. The Awas yojana of the government reportedly failed to reach this corner of Odisha.
Locals said that they are deprived of basic transport and communication facilities. In a press conference, the locals of the village threatened to launch a massive protest if the issue of communication will not be resolved within 15 days.
When asked, Athagarh BDO Arun Das said that a special team has been formed and the issue will be resolved soon.
“We have sent the proposal for the bridge. As the area has a lot of private and forest lands, we will take further steps and decide where we can construct the bridge,” Athagarh BDO said.