The connecting road of the Kajala New Colony in Kendrapara. Telegraph picture

Kendrapara, March 2: Residents of Kajala New Colony here remain deprived of basic civic amenities owing to petty political factors. The Kendrapara Municipality authorities have allegedly shied away from repairing a connecting road to the fast growing residential colony.

The urban development department had sanctioned grants under ‘hard case funds’ for the road project in last February. But the funds are allegedly lying idle, and residents of Kajala New Colony, which falls in ward no. 21 of Kendrapara Municipality, is wallowing in neglect.

Residents believe that an ongoing tug of war between some sections of the ruling party’s politicians has hit them hard. “We are sandwiched between the whims and fancies of civil body administrators,” alleged some of them.

“The road comes under revenue department as per tehsil land records. That’s why its work could not be taken up despite grants sanctioned by the urban development department. We have sought permission from the revenue officials. Once they accord permission, the work would be executed,” said Krupasindhu Panda, executive officer of Kendrapara Municipality.

Political circles, however, believe that an ongoing tug of war between the Kendrapara MLA and the municipality chairman has led to the imbroglio. As the MLA had evinced interest in the restoration of civic amenities in the colony, the municipal council has wilfully ignored the project.

Kendrapara MLA Sipra Mallick said: “I believe that urban development funds sanctioned to the municipality are not being judiciously used. Many irregularities have also been found in various urban construction projects. These have been brought to the notice of the urban development minister.”