Phiringia: Five months have passed since the collapse of the bridge on the Prudeni canal in Kasalguda panchayat in the Phiringia block of Kandhamal district. It may be mentioned here that residents of five villages depend on the bridge.
The villagers said the block development officer (BDO) had assured them that within three months a bridge would be ready but nothing has been done till date.
Angry villagers have decided not to allow campaigning by any political party in their village. They have warned that they would boycott the polls if things are not set right.
A local organisation, Samiti Sabhya’s Mamata Sahoo said if the bridge was not constructed soon they will intensify their protests.
Sources said the bridge collapsed due to heavy rain in August, 2018. As a result Phalarebadapaju, Nedepadar, Lumbharkhola, Gadipadar and Katramala villages have lost road connectivity to Gochhapada and Phiringia markets which is imperative to their daily household chores and other economic activities.
The people of these five villages face a lot of problems in crossing the canal. Such is the condition that ambulances cannot reach the villages and so, the residents are facing difficulties in taking the ill and pregnant women to hospitals.
PNN
