BALASORE: For thousands people in Mayurbhanj and Balasore, life hangs on a bamboo bridge - the only means of connectivity with outside world. The 100-metre bamboo bridge over river Gongahar at Shirakoili village has been the only mode of connectivity for last several years for the villagers of Barasahi Assembly segment in Mayurbhanj district and Remuna in Balasore.
Lack of connectivity is not only hampering the daily life of villagers, but also depriving them of medical services. “The villagers are losing lives without medical treatment. Our life is in a horrible condition. Despite relentless complaints raised with the authorities concerned, there has been no improvement in the situation,” a local alleged.
Satyajit Barik of Shirakoili village said, “People of the two districts have been facing commuting problems in the absence of bridge and roads since long. The villagers voluntarily provide bamboo and we tie up those to set up a temporary bridge to cross the river. In case of any damage, we repair it immediately and it is a continuous process for several years.”
Another villager, Pranakrushna Pradhan said, “The bamboo bridge is the only means of communication of this locality. Even after 72 years of Independence, our village is yet to get a bridge despite several demands at different levels.”
While crores of rupees are being spent towards development of infrastructure in various parts of the State, people of two Assembly segments have been facing commuting problems, said villagers.
Villagers of Dukuriya, Adidiha, Kunchibania, Narankhunta, Palapatana, Salagaon, Patisari, Tentulia and Chengua Mangalpur in Barsahi Assembly segment usually depend on Balasore district headquarters due to short distance. They warned of agitation in coming days.
Contacted, Remuna MLA Gobinda Chandra Das said earlier, he had submitted a proposal to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for construction of a bridge over Gongahar under Biju Setu Yojana three times, but to no avail.
Remuna Block Development Officer (BDO) Sanjay Rout expressed his ignorance about the issue and assured to take steps after field visit.