Boudh: Way back in the year 1994, Boudh was accorded the status of a district. Since then, groundwork of a master plan has been underway to give a facelift to this town as the district headquarters. But it has remained on paper without any visible progress of the plan moving towards implementation even after 24 years.
While the district, geographically situated in central Odisha, has an area stretching up to 3,098 sq km, Boudh town has an area of 20.72 sq km. Boudh NAC is constituted by 17 wards.
In view of shortage of government plots due to illegal encroachments, the money which comes for development works and setting up of new projects usually returns or lie unspent.
Even as there are proposals to set up two community centres, eight toilets and a drinking water kiosk at the bus stand, the work for the same is yet to begin.
Daily commuters in the town face a lot of problems due to traffic congestion, caused by a bus bay, an auto-rickshaw stand and a daily market which are all located at the same place. Adding to the people’s woes is the absence of a traffic outpost to regulate the vehicular movement, locals alleged.
While huge amount of money was sanctioned to set up the second daily local market in the area, the construction was disrupted as the matter is currently under Vigilance scanner due to some financial irregularities. It seems the dream of another daily local market will gradually vanish into the darkness, said a local.
It has now become a difficult task for the authorities to demolish the illegal structures due to the unholy nexus between some powerful people and politicians.
Water-logging is another major challenge in the absence of proper drainage facility. Because of the unavailability of government land, projects such as Model Degree College, district jail and other important offices had to be constructed far from the town.
As the civic problems are worsening, people of this district headquarters town have urged the state government to implement the master plan at the earliest for the overall development.
PNN
