Bhagalpur MP Bulo Mandal's recently adopted Ishmailpur Paschimi Vitta village under Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana, but residents are sceptical he can save them from the Ganga.

'Let our village survive massive erosion from Ganga. Only then ask about the MP's move to adopt the village,' said Bindu Devi (67), a native of flood-prone Ishmailpur block under Naugachia sub-division of Bhagalpur.

Many who have relocated to a place 13km from Naugachia's sub-divisional headquarters are happy the MP adopted their village but doubt he would be of much help. Of greater concern to them is whether their village would exist on the district map or disappear forever into the riverbed.

'Erosion has already claimed half the village and the other half's existence is at stake,' said Shivshankar Yadav.

The village, consisting of hamlets like Ishmailpur, Phulkia and Naya Tola Phulkia, has a sizable population of 6,500 (4,500 voters). But it lacks basic facilities and road connectivity to Naugachia. 'We are surrounded by water during floods. For 4-5 months every year we can only travel by boat. Even our block office migrates to Naugachia during the floods,' said Kailash Mandal, another resident.

Ishmailpur mukhiya Manohar Mandal was sceptical. 'Unless they find a permanent measure to counter recurring floods, it would be impossible for the MP to do anything for the areas.' He said Phulkia hamlet disappeared into the riverbed and many residents took refuge near Ghogha railway station on the other side of the river. Others moved to Ishmailpur.

Now half of Ishmailpur hamlet has vanished and residents have moved to the other side of the river. Over 30 families from Ishmailpur hamlet now live there, he said.

Mandal, who stressed on the need to build an embankment from Bindhtoli to Ishmailpur to counter recurring floods, however, believed basic amenities in the village would improve. 'We have welcomed Mandal's decision to adopt the village but he should come up with an action plan to counter floods and land erosion first,' he said.

Promod Thakur, another resident, said: 'Road connectivity is our biggest problem. We still carry patients on cots and walk over 8-10km to reach Naugachia hospital for treatment. Two PHCs in the locality are as good as defunct. Children in Ishmailpur and Ramdiri panchyats are deprived of basic education in the absence of schools here. The agrarian population here suffers immensely because of floods and inaccessibility.'

Given the expectations and fears, Bulo sure has a Herculean task ahead of him.

Talking to reporters, he admitted the village remained cut off from the mainstream. 'This is why I have taken up this challenge and hope to do something better for residents here. If required, I will request the prime minister to provide additional funds to counter floods,' he said.