Living on the Edge: Odisha Villagers Brave Hazards To Cross Reservoir On Leaky Boat

Ganjam: Thousands of residents in several villages under the Ankului Gram Panchayat have been forced to undertake hazardous journeys on a ramshackle boat every day to cross the Baghalati reservoir since many years in the absence of a road.

The ride in the leaky boat is not only causing delay and inconvenience to people, especially in Elagala, Baniabasa, Madua, Beheraputa and Sirishaganda villages , but has also resulted in many deaths as critically ill patients could not be hospitalised in time.

The picture of neglect and insensitivity towards the plight of the people has raised serious question marks over the state government’s much touted ‘development through connectivity’ sloganeering.

While the all-round development in these villages is wanting, road connectivity continues to remain a pipedream.

These villages are situated on a hill and surrounded by forests from three sides and the Baghalati reservoir on the other.

With no road connecting these villages with the outside world, residents bank on a dilapidated boat to cross the reservoir for their daily needs.

But the journey is far from being pleasant. Instead, it is fraught with hazards as the solitary rickety dinghy threatens to give way any moment.

Villagers said that often water gushes into the leaky boat and the passengers have to remove it continuously.

The boat is also the only means of transport for patients in need of admission into hospitals for treatment.

Some locals said that recently one Banamali Pradhan from Elagala village lost his life because of the delay in reaching the hospital as he had to be taken on the boat to reach the other side of the reservoir.

They said instances of deaths due to delay in medical care are a regular feature in the villages of Ankuli panchayat due to the unavailability of a road.

Nevertheless, the administration seems to have turned a blind eye towards the plight of these villagers.

After repeated petitions before the district administration to construct a road fell in deaf ears, the locals have now asked for a motorised boat in the reservoir till any alternative is found.