Aradi: Lack of development and alleged irregularities in construction of toilets have left people fuming at Gopalpur under Tihidi block in Bhadrak.
Ahead of panchayat elections, the residents have warned of boycotting the polls. The villagers alleged that most government schemes are out of reach for the villagers while basic facilities are yet to be put in place.
“We are unable to get benefits of many government schemes. The village has no pucca road. Fresh drinking water is a dream. Not single toilet has been built in the village while the government has emphasised on Swachh Bharat. The village is far from development. We are at the receiving end,” the villagers fumed.
They also expressed displeasure on the bad state of village road. The road is always waterlogged. The village with a population of 350 is inhabited by 80 dalit families.
A primary school is in the village, but it has been locked due to pandemic. In slightest rain, the village gets waterlogged. It is difficult for children to venture out for school.
Owing to bad shape of the village road, patients are carried on cot up to the main road and from there, they are shifted in ambulance. They pointed out that a culvert was built on the outskirts of the village. It has broken, causing commuting woes.
“Leaders come to the village with a lot of promises when elections come closer. But nothing is done later. The village road was repaired some months ago, but it was washed away. Besides, funds provided to 40 dalit families for building toilets have been embezzled. We demand an investigation into alleged irregularities. There is need for a pucca road for the village,” they said.
Bhimsen Barik, a resident said that the road was repaired before the monsoon, but floods have damaged it completely. The block administration has assured to look into the road issue.
Junior engineer Alekh Tirkey said that an action plan for the village has been given to the administration. As it is a hamlet, development is getting delayed, he added.
PNN