Bolangir Administration acts after OTV report, installs street lights in Dalit hamlet

The Bolangir district administration has taken swift action following a news report aired by OTV that highlighted alleged neglect and lack of basic amenities in a Dalit hamlet in Dumerchuan village under Turekela block.

The report brought attention to the absence of essential civic infrastructure in the Dalit settlement, including street lighting and access to safe drinking water. Responding promptly after the issue was highlighted, the block administration installed three street lights in the locality overnight, providing immediate relief to residents who had long been living in darkness.

“There was no street light in our area. After the news was aired, they immediately installed three lights in our locality. Were they sleeping? Are we not residents of this area? We were suffering,” said Kunja Suna, a local resident.

Villagers had alleged that the hamlet had remained in darkness for years and had been excluded from development initiatives. In addition to the lack of street lighting, residents also raised concerns over the non-functional piped water supply, which has reportedly remained defunct for the past one and a half years. Tube wells in the area are also said to be non-operational, further aggravating the water crisis.

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Officials stated that steps have been initiated to restore the drinking water supply at the earliest. The administration has assured that necessary measures will be taken to address the grievances raised and ensure that basic amenities are made available to the residents.