Phiringia: The onset of monsoons has once more put the residents of Telapali, Sikulipadar and Simijhar villages of Dindiragaon panchayat under Phiringia block in Kandhamal district in huge misery. The construction of the bridge over Gateni rivulet still being a distant dream, the villagers have to experience a lot of hardships to go to the other side.
Telapali, Sikulipadar and Simijhar villages are on one side of the rivulet. The villagers have to cross the rivulet if they need to go to Phiringia or Phulbani. The students of these villages also have to cross the rivulet if they are to attend their educational institutions which are on the other side.
In summer and winter no one faces any problem. However, it is during the monsoons, the rivulet becomes a full-fledged river compounding the problems for the residents of three villages.
Over 150 people reside in these villages. The advent of rainy season creates panic for the villagers. To get subsidised PDS rice, they have to trek six kilometres of hilly terrain and then they have to cross the rivulet.
The villagers including school going-children can be seen wading through the water to reach the other side. However, during the rainy season it becomes impossible for them to cross over.
During the monsoons, the villagers just hope that no one falls sick. “Most importantly no woman should complain of labour pain. God forbid if such a situation ever arises. Otherwise, we are left with no means but makeshift hammock or cot to shift patients,” said a villager.
The villagers including ward member Pradeep Sahani urged the administration to take steps to end their misery.
