TV
Residents of Kandhal village under Naktideul block in Sambalpur district are forced to risk their lives by crossing the overflowing Tikira river during the monsoon season.
The disturbing scenes emerged from the area where villagers are seen wading through strong currents due to the absence of a permanent bridge.
The Tikira river flows near Kandhal village and separates it from Batgaon Panchayat. Around ten villages, including Kandhal, depend heavily on access to Batgaon for various essential services. However, without a proper bridge, villagers have to take a 20-kilometre detour to reach Batgaon through alternative routes.
In contrast, crossing the river directly would only require a 3-kilometre journey. During the dry season, villagers use makeshift wooden bridges to cross the river. But the situation becomes perilous during the rains, as the river swells and washes away the temporary structures, cutting off access and endangering lives.
Despite repeated appeals to the local administration for the construction of a permanent bridge, villagers allege that their demands have not been met, and no concrete steps have been taken so far.
Must Read: In absence of bridge, villagers cross river to access cremation ground in Odisha
Locals are urging the authorities to take immediate action before a major tragedy occurs.
"We are forced to risk our lives by crossing the river for our daily needs. Even the students have to cross the flooded river in the rainy season while going to school and colleges. We are also forced to take the patients to the hospitals by crossing the river," said a local resident.
"Though we are getting scared while crossing the flooded river, we have no alternative. We have requested the authorities to construct a permanent bridge over the river umpteen times. However, our demands have so far fallen on deaf ears," said another local resident.
