Residents of Markatnagar CDA Sector VI cut unwanted vegetation in their locality and (left) repair a kuccha road. Pictures by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, Oct. 3: In a unique way to mark their protest against the civic apathy, the residents of Markatnagar at CDA Sector VI have decided to construct a concrete road at their own expenses.

Today, the residents of Block V of Sector VI have also initiated measures for the repair of a kutcha road which had lied neglected there for long. “On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, most of the residents decided to protest against civic apathy by initiating measures for local development,” said Pushpa Panda, 31, a homemaker.

According to Panda, local residents especially senior citizens and children were facing problems as there was no proper road. There was a small passage that was being used to enter the block V which was causing numerous problems. The problems used to get compounded during every rainy season.

Besides, the residents also cleared unwanted vegetation that had grown in abundance in and around the area today.

“The residents of CDA are deprived of basic civic amenities. Though the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) claims to have intensified its operation to check mosquito menace, no step has been taken to clear the bushes here,” said Archana Patra, another homemaker.

Around 40ft of the kutcha road was widened and filled with sand today. It was later leveled with debris. The residents said that efforts would later be initiated to convert the road into a concrete road.

They alleged that despite repeated complaints and demonstrations no step had been taken to initiate measures for the construction of concrete road in the locality.

Similarly, most of the roads in CDA are in deplorable condition. Though the work for the repairs of road has begun keeping in view the festive season, many areas are yet to be covered.

“This is complete negligence of the civic body which has failed to address the grievances of the people here,” said Gadadhar Sahu, a local resident.

Sahu added around 100 families in the locality were facing problems because of bad road conditions. In 2009, he residents of block IV had also constructed a concrete road at their own expenses.

“We had collected around Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000 from the residents and had completed the work for the construction of concrete road in our locality. The entire work was completed in a phased manner,” said Sudharshan Das,65, a resident of block IV of CDA Sector VI.

Despite several attempts, the CMC officials were not available for comments.