Udayagiri: Tension flared high after residents of two panchayats – Mundakia and Petapanga – here in Kandhamal district took to the street over lack of basic amenities Saturday.
Demanding immediate steps to provide better living conditions including uninterrupted power supply, water, proper drainage system, better roads and streetlights, the villagers staged a road blockade.
Vehicular movements came to a standstill as many vehicles were left stranded on the main road.
People from Mundakia and Petapanga panchayats complained that they have been bearing the brunt of bad roads and water-logging during rainy season due to poor drainage system.
Moreover, lack of streetlights have been causing problems in the night, they complained.
Besides, frequent power cuts in the area have severely affected their lives with the temperature touching a high of 40-42 degree Celsius.
“We have raised our demands for some time but there was no response from the authorities. The agitation will be intensified in the coming days if our demands are not considered immediately,” one of the protesters said.