Khajuripada: With no road connectivity, as many as ten villages of Sudreju panchayat of Khajuripada in Kandhmal district have been deprived of basic amenities. They have been demanding a road to their villages under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna (PMGSY) or the Mukhya Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna (MMGSY), but to no avail.
The villagers of Shrambipada, Gudabari, Jargesaru, Sagadakuti, Khaligudi, Barapada, Prangapada, Kududeli, Meniakathi want a road from Bhetkhal national highway-157 to Landruguda village. The villagers recently invited some block officials, made them take a round of the villages, and held discussions on their demand.
“The absence of a road has made our lives miserable. We are not able to have access to various facilities,” they complained to the officials, adding that, during rainy season, the problem worsens.
They attributed the failure of the Biju Pakka Ghar Yojna to the lack of road access. “We cannot effortlessly bring in any material for house construction. The way we get it here, it costs us more than the money provided to us under the yojna,” some villagers said. One of them said that in order to get public distribution system (PDS) rice, they have to trudge 12km along the hilly areas.
“We also have difficulty shifting patients and pregnant women. To skirt the troublesome hilly trail, we cover a 30km distance to reach the nearby hospital. There are also problems like lack of drinking water and education facilities in the villages,” the inhabitants complained.
Villagers of Sudrukumpa panchayat and some hamlets will also be benefited from the proposed road, it is learnt.
Said Subrat Kumar Jena, BDO, Phulbani: “Only when I visited the area did I realise the hardships the villagers are going through. I apprised the collector who then held discussions with also discussed with the locals. Hope, the people will soon have their demand fulfilled.
Birendra Kumar Kanhara, chairman, Khajuripada block, was taken aback after seeing the problems himself. “I have promised them to sort out their problems. I will bring this to the notice of the collector and the block development officer. I also demand on behalf of these people the erection of a road either under PMGSY or MMGSY” he said.
“This time, if officials renege, we will have no way but to have a blockade on the Phulbani-Boudh national highway 157 and boycott the next election,” warned some elderly villagers. PNN
