Sambalpur: A seven-year-long effort of a 12-year-old boy and his eight-year-old sister for a bridge over Nahurani river proved successful in Kudinali under Naktideula block in Sambalpur district.
After receiving letters from Adyasha Priyadarshini and her brother Ayush Ranjan Rout (12) at regular intervals, both the central and state governments have intervened to solve the problem.
The district administration has recently started the process for the construction of the bridge.
The jubilant villagers thanked Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for taking steps to resolve the long standing problems being faced by students while going to school.
They have decided to meet the CM to express their gratitude.
Adyasha and Ayush have to cross the Nahurani river to reach the Saraswati Sishu Mandir School at Gadmandal in Chhendipada block.
During rainy seasons, the swollen river would pose a threat and they couldn’t go to the school.
They first wrote a letter to the Chief Minister, explaining the reasons for the construction of a bridge here, in 2012.
Naveeen directed the district administration for taking further steps in this connection but the construction work couldn’t start due to some issues related to the boundary.
The siblings then wrote letters to the Prime Minister, Governor and the Odisha Human Rights Commission seeking their intervention.
The PMO directed the Chief Secretary to take immediate steps in this regard. The district administration also praised the siblings, assuring them that their problem would be resolved soon.
However, the construction work didn’t start as expected.
The siblings met Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and explained the problems they have been facing.
But the problem remained unsolved.
They once again wrote a letter to Naveen, indicating the delay in starting the project.
Following the request, the Chief Minister directed the administration to start the construction work without further delay.
Acting on the CM’s direction, the district administration swung into the action and completed the tender process February 14.
The villagers expressed their happiness over the decision and praised the efforts of the children for the cause.
The villagers said, “But for the constant efforts of Adyasha and Ayush and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s personal interest, the communication problem we are facing would not have been solved.”
PNN