Raisuan (Keonjhar): A small country boat (locally known as Huli Danga) is the lone option for the 2,000-odd inhabitants of Kendughati village in Phuljhar panchayat of Bansapal block in Keonjhar district to go to other places during the rains.
Although decades have passed since Independence, the people here are still waiting for their village to get connected to the rest of the world.
The village is surrounded by the rivers Baitarani and Malda and across Malda stands the giant Kalimati Hill. As the village is located near a hill, the rivers become a threat during the rains.
During the monsoon, the villagers cross the river in the country boat risking their lives. The same boat also ferries children to school.
Fortunately, the boatman never takes a penny from the villagers for his service. But the villagers give him rice measuring 20 mana (mana is traditional canister to measure rice) once a year.
An amount of Rs 8,22,93,000 was sanctioned from the District Mineral Foundation for a bridge to connect the village in 2017. The villagers said they were suffering due to the sheer lack of will of the administration. The villagers urged the district administration to help them get rid of their perennial commuting problem.
PNN
