Kendrapara: People of Nachhipada under Iswarpur revenue village of Rajnagar block in the district are yet to see an all-weather road. The villagers who earn their livelihood from farming or as daily-wagers, are deprived of basic services like education and healthcare. The economic condition of villagers is worsening even as these villages remain inaccessible during the monsoon.
The state government has been implementing several projects to provide pucca road, but no such projects have been implemented in this village, alleged locals. The far flung coastal hamlet having 150 people from 25 families is situated three kilometers from Righagada village on the fringes of Bhitarkanika National Park (BNP).
In the absence of a proper road, the villagers commute to and from their village by walking through an agriculture field. They stay marooned in their homes in case of a slight drizzle, alleged Mukunda Mandal, an inhabitant of Nachhipada.
During rainy season, most of the villagers prefer to remain indoors for days together. If a person falls sick or a woman has to go to a local CHC for delivering a child, he or she is carried in a basket sling to reach the main road. The villagers never get opportunity to avail the 102 and 108 ambulance services due to lack of road connectivity, alleged Susil Mandal, a villager.
According to Jaydev Mandal, the village has no Anganwadi centre or a primary school. Children aged between 6 months and three years fail to go to Iswarpur Anganwadi centre as its distance from the village is three-and-half kilometres. They do not even know the name of the ANM.
Pregnant women do not get nutritious food provided under the ICDS programme. Young children cover four kilometres to reach Rajabijaynagar primary school. During rainy season, most of the days are termed undeclared holidays as children fail to attend the school. High school students trek about five kilometers daily to reach Dighi-based Binapani high school.
Not a single government official, including local BDO, Tehsildar or any district level officer, ever visited the village to see the sorry state of their affairs.
Villagers have to cover four to five kilometers to collect government sponsored foodgrains under their ration cards. As the village does not have a single latrine, villagers defecate in open ground, alleged Biswambar Mandal, a villager.
“Living without basic amenities has become a habit for us even though several leaders of various political parties visit the village during election time and they mouth promises to change the face of our village. But once the election is over, we are unwanted for them,” alleged villagers.
When contacted, District Collector Reghu G said he has recently come to know about the village and their problems, he would take expeditious steps to provide basic amenities to the people.
PNN
