R Udaygiri: Following media reports about poor communication facilities in Chudangpur panchayat under Mohana block of Gajapati district, the administration has finally built a temporary bridge across Gajel nullah near Jharanpur. Owing to absence of a bridge across the creek, people and children were often seen wading through the creek and negotiating the big boulders on the creek bed to reach their destinations. Thousands of people from 20 villages under the panchayat commute on this route in a precarious manner.
Report said, Raipanka market is 8km from the creek and Padmapur in Rayagada district is situated at a distance of 14km. Traders of Rayagada have to visit Chudangpur, Antaraba, Jharanpur, Sialilati and other villages in Gajapati every day, but they have to cross the creek which remains in spate during rains. Schoolchildren also face a tough time during the monsoon as they have to cross a swelling creek to reach their schools. Guardians of the schoolchildren sometimes have to carry their wards on their shoulders while wading through the flooded creek to drop them at Anganwadi centres and primary schools which are on the other side of the creek. The sorry state of communication drew the media attention a few days ago.
Often their studies are affected when they are unable to go across the creek. The locals had apprised the administration about the problem. When our correspondent apprised ADM Sangram Sekhar Panda about the situation, the latter assured that immediate step would be taken to sort out the issue. Following a directive from Collector Lingaraj Panda, the block administration got a temporary bridge built by a contractor. Hume pipes have been laid and their tops have been levelled with earth. However, the muddy approach road has not been repaired. Locals were all praise for the Collector for this initiative.