Protest, road blockade in Odisha’s Bolangir over ‘irregularities’ in construction works

Several residents of Kholan village in Odisha’s Bolangir district staged a road blockade on the Titilagarh-Sindhekela route on Wednesday, protesting substandard road construction and alleged irregularities in the accompanying drainage work.

According to reports, the road connecting Titilagarh to Sindhekela, currently under construction by the State Works Department, has drawn sharp criticism from locals who allege that the quality of work is alarmingly poor.

Villagers from Kholan, a key point along the route, claimed that the materials used for the road surface are substandard, raising fears about its durability and safety, especially ahead of the monsoon season.

The protestors alleged that repeated complaints and grievances to the local authorities were simply moved from one department to another, and no concrete investigation into the substandard work was ever undertaken.

Road Work Under Fire for Poor Quality

In addition to the road surface, serious allegations have emerged regarding the roadside drainage system.

Locals pointed out that the drain construction is riddled with irregularities, including improper alignment and incomplete sections, which they believe could lead to waterlogging and damage to adjacent lands during heavy rainfall.

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‘Land Disputes and Administrative Apathy Add to the Crisis’

The issue has been further complicated by unresolved land disputes. Some villagers allege that parts of the road and drainage construction encroach upon private land, and they have raised these concerns multiple times with the authorities. However, despite several appeals to the local administration, no meaningful action has been taken.

“When road construction began, we voiced our concerns to local authorities several times. I went to the police and filed a review request, expressed our woes to the district sub-collector seven to eight times, who assured us to look into the matter. But nothing was done,” said a protester at the site.

This perceived negligence has now pushed the villagers to the brink. As a result, they took to the streets and blocked the Kholan section of the road, bringing traffic to a standstill and demanding immediate attention to their concerns.

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As of now, there has been no response from the Works Department or the local administration. Attempts to get a statement from the concerned officials were unsuccessful. 

Meanwhile, the villagers have warned that they will continue their protest unless the construction standards are improved and their land grievances are resolved.