Keonjhar: Villagers of Kendughati in Phulajhar panchayat under Bansapal block of this district have good reasons to dub river Baitarani as a curse, even as the river is adjudged as the lifeline of the district.
The village is surrounded by river Baitarani and Malda river from three sides and a hill on the other side. Since the village is situated in a hilly area, a little shower can bring the rivers to their brims.
The panchayat office and markets are on the other side of the rivers. The residents get PDS rice and other provisions from the pancahayat office and buy daily needs from markets. To reach the panchayat office and markets, these villagers have to wade through water. But in the rainy season, crossing the rivers becomes an arduous task.
“We have difficulties only four months a year due to rainy season, when we need to go to panchayat office, hospital and marketplace. We fall back on the old rickety country boat,” alleged some villagers.
“It is always threatening to use rickety boats to cross the rivers particularly when they are in spate. We have been living such wretched lives for years. The government has been constructing roads and bridges under various schemes. But we are not that much lucky as our pleas have been fallen on deaf ears,” some others alleged.
The rivers also pose a threat to their farmlands as the floodwater turns their agricultural lands sand crust and damaging crops.
Coming to their support, the residents said there are restrictions which need to be followed and some safety equipment like lifebuoys and life jackets are required for their boat. But the boatmen ferry people without adhering to guidelines. It cannot be said that a major mishap would not occur.
They urged the government to take steps to lessen the suffering of the people by constructing a bridge to their village.
PNN
