Paralakhemundi: In the absence of basic facilities like drinking water, electricity, roads and schools, villagers residing in remote areas continue to face hardship.
In Badaanja village of Rayagada block of Gajapati district, things are no different where locals are a distressed lot and have threatened to boycott the upcoming general elections if the issues are not resolved soon.
Located in a hilly terrain in Santuni panchayat, Badaanja has stone paved roads because of which ambulance fails to reach the village. Patients and pregnant women of the village have to be carried in slings to the hospital, sources said.
Villagers alleged that despite repeated complaints, local administration officials took no action.
“There are no roads, electricity and drinking water. We have to carry pregnant women and patients in slings as ambulance drivers refuse to come to the village in the absence of motorable roads,” said Sanyasi Bhuyan, a resident of Badaanja.
Another resident, Moringa Bhuyan, said, “The administration has been promising roads, but there is no action.”
While electric meters have been installed in houses, electricity is yet to be supplied. Children in the village have to walk for five kilometres to reach nearby school at Champapur, said the sources.
“We are facing all these issues for long. We will boycott upcoming elections if our issues are not resolved,” said Anjana Gamang, another resident.
After being informed about the problems faced by the villagers, Gajapati district Additional Collector Laxmikanta Sethi said, “As the area is mountainous, trucks and tractors are not able to transport construction materials to the village. We will try to resolve the issue soon and build the roads at the earliest. We are ready to supply electricity but will punish those who misuse it.”
PNN