Bhawanipatna: Sixteen villages have remained cut-off from the rest of the world for the last 13 days after the Kalahandi district administration suspended launch service in the Indravati reservoir, a report said Sunday.
The launch service is the only mode of communication for the people of these villages. The administration suspended the service after 15 people had a close shave when a motor boat ferrying the people developed a technical snag in the midst of the reservoir.
Meanwhile, the villagers have been put to untold sufferings. It has become difficult for them to purchase their daily essentials in the absence of the launch service. They have also been deprived availing healthcare services.
The administration’s decision has led to string resentment among the villagers. The villagers flayed the administration for abruptly stopping the service without making any provision of essential commodities in the villages.
In the wake of the technical snag in the boat, District Collector Gavil Parag Harshad had directed T Rampur tehsildar Binay Kumar Bhoi to visit the spot and take stock of the situation.
The tehsildar had conducted a probe and seized all the motor boats for lack of safety measures while suspending the service. He had said the launch service will remain suspended till further orders of the district administration. Since then, 13 days have passed but the administration is yet to resume the service. The villagers have, meanwhile, urged the district administration to resume the service as its absence has been affecting their lives and livelihood, it was learnt.
PNN