Madhapur: In a unique way of protests, residents of Bahalabeda village under Athamallik block in Angul district chose an innovative method to expose the failure of the authorities to repair a road linking the village.
The road that serves as the only link to the outside world for over a 100 families of the panchayat is in a miserable condition. Knee deep water on the road after rainfall adds to the misery of people, locals alleged. The pathetic condition of the road has made travelling a nightmare for students who have to walk to schools on the muddy road, locals added.
As a mark of protest against the indifferent attitude of the local administrations, locals planted paddy saplings on the village road to highlight its poor condition. The unprecedented protest did not end there- the villagers stopped students from going to school and warned of a road blockade if no steps were taken in this regard.
With the ongoing rain, rainwater has accumulated on the road making it impossible to walk on. The road serves as the only link to reach the local community health centre, several education institutions and commercial establishments of the block. However, a stretch of about a kilometer is in a miserable sate and people have to wade through knee deep mud to reach the block.
Though villagers have on several instances tried to bring it to the notice of the administration and people’s representatives, no one has bothered to pay heed to locals’ plight. Left with no option, the villagers decided to plant paddy saplings to draw attention of the authorities.
The demonstrators included Pramod Pradhan, Achyutanand Pradhan, Babula Dehuri, among others. PNN
