No roads, but villagers arrange chopper ride for MP

Malkangiri: When it's the duty of the elected representatives to ensure basic infrastructure for the people, villagers of a remote Malkangiri village went to the extent of arranging a chopper for a MP who ironically refused to visit their village which lacks proper roads.

Not allowing their own sufferings due to lack of road connectivity to come in between; villagers of MPV-69 village arranged a helicopter for BJD’s Nabarangpur MP, Balabhadra Majhi to visit the village to inaugurate a temple.

Earlier, citing his busy schedule on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri, the MP had turned down the request of villagers to inaugurate a temple on the auspicious day.

Majhi was taken aback when a local contractor Uttam Mallick sent a chopper to bring him to the venue for inauguration.

“I initially told them about my inability to visit due to my busy schedule on Maha Shivaratri. But I could not refuse after they insisted that they would send a helicopter if there are any problems in reaching the venue,” said Majhi.

Locals alleged that they have been facing severe hardship in communication especially in crossing the Poteru river owing to lack of a bridge.

In a bid to ensure that the Nabarangpur MP sees the plight of the locals, the contractor had arranged the chopper to bring him to the village and report the problems faced by the villagers.

“Our intention was just to show the problems that we face so that the MP can take necessary steps to address the issues,” said Mallick.

Majhi stated that the villagers have put forth their grievances and we hope that it will be sanctioned by the State government soon.