Dasamantapur: Upset over administrative apathy, the residents of seven villages of Girligumma panchayat in this block of Koraput district have buildt a temporary bamboo bridge over River Pudo.
The residents of Funda Guda, Vondisil, Denga Guda, Koskota, Kaliambo and Malam villages have to cross 100-metre-wide river to reach the Dasamantapur market, hospital and government offices.
Their action followed deaths of at least four persons and domestic animals while crossing the river. Similarly, two persons had drowned, when they were crossing the river in 2015, while one Keshab Disari, a resident of Shangabada, had lost his life while crossing the river. One Naina Bisoi, wife of Nabina Bisoi, delivered a dead baby on the river bank after she was affected by pneumonia as she had to wade through the river to reach hospital.
Some villagers, including Laba Bisoi, Harishchandra Bisoi, Lala Mani Mandinga, Mahadev Bisoi and Padman Bisoi alleged the local MLA and MP had asked them to take money instead of asking them to fulfil the promises they had made during electioneering.
The politicians used to distribute money in the festive seasons.
They also alleged no steps were taken to build a bridge for the development of the villages.
Failing to get response from the government and local politicians, the villagers, including children and old persons, have decided to build a temporary bamboo bridge over the river, they added.
They also threatened to boycott elections and not allow politicians to enter the villages as they have not been provided with basic facilities like health and education.
It’s worth mentioning here that in February this year the residents of Dokribeda village of Girligumma panchayat in this block in Koraput district had built an approach road to their locality from the main road which was constructed by the Rural Development (RD) Department.
The village is located 4 km from the RD road. Though there are only 400 voters in the village, the people of at least seven other villages including Dengaguda, Kaliamba and Kaskata also use the road.
PNN
