JAGATSINGHPUR:Residents of remote coastal villages of Erasama block in the district are deprived of basic civic amenities, including roads and drinking water. After being hit by super-cyclone, the State Government had taken the initiative to repair the roads in these villages. But locals claimed that the Government had failed to resolve their communication problems.
Residents of Khatikolda, Nalabedi, Dasmath, Baulpur, Mauyrnanji, Khatidiha and other villages of Gadbishnupur Panchayat depend on the main road, stretching from Khatikolda to Sankhanadi, for their daily travel. However, the condition of this 3-km road is miserable. Locals claim that the muddy stretch from Khatikolda to Junagheri has potholes.
“During the super-cyclone, the administration had taken steps to renovate this road by using red chips. But the problems persist as the kuchha road was not turned into a concrete one. Moreover, the road has been further damaged by the rains,” locals claimed.
Not just that, the residents are apparently deprived of healthcare facilities, power supply, potable water, schools and other basic amenities. Sources said women in these villages are forced to collect water from the paddy fields as the tubewell water is not fit for human consumption. “We are living the same way as our parents used to live some decades back. Safe drinking water, pucca road and other basic facilities are still a distant dream for the people here,”said a 75-year-old Sundari Dei.
“The villages under this panchayat lack basic facilities. The water from several tube wells here is unfit for drinking. The administration has not taken any step to instal pipes for supply of water to the households,” Gadbishnupur Panchyat Sarpanch Sujata Behera said.
When it comes to education, the scenario is no different. Nalavedi Primary School in the block has apparently no kitchen on its premises. Parents claimed that the students are not provided with the mid-day meals often during the monsoons. “Despite repeated requests made before the local administration, nothing has been done to set up cyclone shelter for the locals,” locals complained.
Contacted, Executive Officer of Gadabishnupur Panchyat Umakant Mallick said the local body had sanctioned `2 lakh for renovation of the road last year. “The condition of the road deteriorated due to the plying of tractors,” he added.