JAGATSINGHPUR: Communication to Paradip, Puri, Konark and Kakatpur has been paralysed after farmers of Bachhalo village dug up Jagatsinghpur-Sikhar main road to drain rainwater from paddy fields on Thursday evening. The move of the farmers came after the district administration failed to remove the water from their fields despite repeated reminders.
Farmers alleged that despite several protests, the administration failed to take any steps to drain rain water from paddy fields following which they were forced to dig up the road at Sikhar.
Sources said untimely rains have wreaked havoc on standing paddy crops in different areas of the district. The crops, which are at a harvesting stage, have been inundated by rainwater. Farmers of Bachhalo, Sikhar, Alana, Mareda and other villages of Naugaon block have been affected by the unseasonal rains.
Following the rains, paddy crops over nearly 800 hectares of land have been affected. As the paddy fields have been submerged in rainwater since the last 15 days, there is every possibility of the surviving crops, which are at a harvesting stage, getting damaged, the farmers said.
Farmer leader Trupti Jena said in a bid to save their remaining crops, harried ryots have dug up the road to drain rainwater from the paddy fields. The untimely rains have resulted in a huge loss to the farmers and the Government should waive crop loans, he said.
Sarpanch of Sikhar panchayat Akshaya Kumar Jena said the farmers of Bachhalo have dug up the road following which vehicular communication has been completely stopped. As locals are facing lot of troubles to commute on the road, stern action should be taken against those who forcibly dug up the road, he added.
In-charge Tehsildar of Naugaon Sachidananada Nayak said the administration has engaged officials of Works department to construct a culvert to drain rainwater from paddy fields.