Tentulikhunti: A motorboat procured 12 years ago to serve residents of the marooned area of Manchagaon panchayat under this block in Nabarangpur district is now reportedly in a dilapidated condition, posing serious risks to its users.
As per reports, the motorboat was purchased through a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) grant from Odisha Hydro Power Corporation under the direction of the then-Nabarangpur MLA Manohar Randhari and the Collector.
It replaced traditional country boats, offering villagers safer access to weekly markets, pensions, and food distribution. Currently, the motorboat is used regularly for public health initiatives such as immunisation and malaria control drives, and by officials during outreach programmes and elections.
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However, no structured repair or maintenance plan was ever put in place. As a result, the vessel is now unsafe, with broken front glass, torn side curtains, and malfunctioning steering and bearings.
Despite repeated complaints from the boat operator and media coverage, the boat has neither been repaired nor replaced.
Though a temporary repair was carried out with assistance from the mechanical division of the Indravati project, the core issues remain unresolved. During a recent health outreach trip to Talang village, the boat suffered a mechanical failure mid-reservoir, leaving the team adrift for nearly 10 minutes.
The driver eventually repaired it using his limited knowledge and somehow reached the destination. Following the incident, many said they now feel safer using traditional boats.
They are demanding a new motorised vessel through CSR funding from OHPC or L&T, or government grants.
They alleged that while Kalahandi district has received four to five motorised boats and 108 ambulance boats for its waterlogged areas, Nabarangpur has largely been ignored.
Villagers of Bagra and Tanginikot said they received no financial support under the ‘Budi’ (flood) resettlement package despite severe hardship.
Although the 24th Rehabilitation Advisory Committee had approved compensation for them, the promises remain unfulfilled.
Asked about the issue, Tentulikhunti block development officer Manoj Kumar Panigrahi said a written request has been sent to the Collector for three 10-seater boats and one 30-seater boat to address the region’s urgent transport needs.
