Jhumpura: Resentment brews among the residents of tribal-dominated Rahadiguda, Nayaksahi and Purunapani villages under Jhumpura block of Keonjhar district owing to administrative apathy to build an all-weather road there.
With the local administration turning a deaf ear to the demands of the villagers, they have taken to agitation and demonstration several times to get a pucca road constructed on the four kilometers stretch. However, none of that has worked so far.
“The road here is filled with potholes. With rainwater in them, it becomes near impossible to traverse on this road even on a motorcycle,” said a villager.
Another villager towed the same line while adding that emergency services such as ambulances and fire service vehicles cannot reach these villages even when the roads are dry. The dust from the dry road makes it a tough task even for the pedestrians, he added.
Purunapani village is sandwiched between Baitarani river on one side and dense forests on the other. The presence of wild elephants and reptiles further make the traveling along this road dangerous.
When asked, Jhumpura block development officer (BDO) Jayshri Beura said, “Steps would soon be taken to hand over the road to the Works Department following which road construction would begin.” Junior engineer of Rural development department Balabhadra Marandi said, “A proposal of road construction has already been placed. The construction would begin after receiving the approval of district administration.”
PNN