BERHAMPUR: Despite widespread damage to infrastructure, little has been done to restore communication network in villages of Patrapur block in Ganjam district that bore the brunt of cyclone Titli. Even as the administration is busy assessing the losses, the villages remain cut off from the rest of the world.
The pathetic state of affairs in the area came to light at Baduabada village under Buratal panchayat of the block when a woman and her newborn were carried on a sling for around 15 km to Patrapur Community Health Centre. Sources said the woman, identified as Hiramani Nayak, had given birth to a baby boy in the village. However, the mother and the newborn could not be separated physically. After waiting for some time, the villagers carried both the mother and the baby on a sling for almost 15 km to reach Talaburatal village from where an ambulance took them to the community health centre at Patrapur. The women was later referred to MKCG Medical College and Hospital.
Baduabada is located on the top of a hill. The earthen road leading to the village suffered huge damage due to the cyclone recently. The villagers, who accompanied Hiramani to hospital, said despite assurances, no concrete road has yet been constructed to Baduabada. The villagers had recently urged the administration to either construct a concrete road to the village and repair the houses that were damaged in the cyclone or rehabilitate them elsewhere.
Earlier, a pregnant woman was carried by some rescue workers from Kamalakhata village under Buratal panchayat of the block to Tadakasahi village on the foothill from where she was transported by ambulance to a hospital. Sources said the district administration has been apathetic towards restoring communication in the block. The cyclone has exposed the lack of attention to the area despite rural connectivity programmes like Biju Sadak Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, said sources.