Raikia: Fed up with the growing apathy of the administration, residents of three villages under K Nuagaon block in Kandhamal district stood untied and built a bridge across a canal all by themselves.
Despite repeated pleas, the administration turned deaf ears to our pleas, thanks to corrupt officials. We took upon ourselves the work of constructing the bridge, locals said, adding that it was a lesson for the administration officials.
According to sources, the three villages Taperikia, Dharampur Puruna Sahi and Patra Sahi are separated from Raikia-Baliguda by a huge river. The river Kalipana stands as an obstacle for the residents during rainy season.
Locals have a tough time to reach the block headquarters for daily chores while children are deprived of schools and colleges. On several instances, elderly persons and women have to risk their lives to cross the river to reach the block for rice, elderly persons and other works.
On the other hand, at least 20 students who go to Dharampur school have to swim across the river to reach their schools. They fail to come out of the village for days together during rainy seasons.
The locals ran from pillar to post to bring the matter to the notice of the district administration. However, they were given only assurances by officials who never turned up except during election times.
No officials paid heed to the repeated requests of locals in this regard. Finally, the locals convened a meeting and decided to construct a bridge all by themselves. They pooled money and labour as per their capabilities and constructed a wooden bridge. Although the bridge is a temporary one, it will help locals for at least a year or two.
a total of Rs 80,000 has been spent in the work while every family has contributed Rs 3,000 each. Now, there won’t be any problem for children and patients can be taken to hospital safely, locals added. PNN
