Malkangiri: It seems the state government has learnt nothing from the Kendrapara boat tragedy that claimed nine people as even today hundreds of people from Malkangiri, Koraput and Nabarangpur district still depend on rickety boats to cross Sabari river and its tributary Sileru.
Every day hundreds of people from Malkangiri, Koraput and Nabarangpur district need to go to the corresponding bordering areas of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana states in search of works. Some businessmen of these districts also go over to there to buy and sell articles like vegetables.
But to reach the other side, they have no other facilities than to board on boats at Motu to cross rivers Sabari and Sileru. “The boat journey is always a risky affair. And we have left with no other option than this. If we do not go to the other side of the river, our families have to go starved,” some labourers waiting for return of the boat said.
As in past years there were boat tragedies in these rivers, their recurrences cannot be ruled out.
Most importantly, passengers are made to travel in these boats without any life jackets and life buoys. As if it were not bad enough, the boatmen take on passengers in excess to their capacity along with motorcycles and cycles in one go.
“As long as we are in boats, we keep praying Gods and Goddesses for our safe journey. We heave a sigh of relief as soon as we touch the ground,” said some locals after alighting from the boat.
In absence of any road connectivity, they do not know how long they have to put their lives in danger by travelling this way.
The Chhattisgarh government started constructing a bridge on the right side of Sabari river at Motu two years ago. The work is still going on, but at a snail’s pace. Similarly, on the left side, Andhra Pradesh government is constructing a bridge on Sileru river for three years now. But from Odisha side, construction of an approach road to the bridge is yet to be started.
As both the bridges are lying uncompleted, four wheelers from this side have to make a detour whereby they travel 150 km more to reach the other side.
While the villagers are eagerly waiting for opening of these bridges, they urged the government at least to make it ensure that the boats are equipped with life saving equipments,” they urged.
PNN