Koraput: The inauguration of the much-awaited Gurupriya Bridge in Chitrakonda block of Malkangiri district to connect 151 cut-off villages situated across the Balimela reservoir has given fillip to development works have inside the swabhiman area.

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the bridge over the river on July 26. The 910m bridge connects the Janbai south to Janbai north was constructed for Rs 172 crore.

The administration has already flagged off a bus-service from Malkangiri town to Bodpada, situated in the swabhiman area (earlier known as the cut-off area), a digging vehicle arrived on Monday to dig tube wells in Bodpada and Papermetla panchayats.

"At least 100 tube wells will be dug in 51 villages of the two panchayats to provide safe drinking water," said an official.

"Roads will also be constructed at the villages under the Gopobandhu Gramin Yojana. We have begun the process from Mukhiguda to Jamuguda and Jodambo to Panasput," the official added.

Subsidised rice, which is available for Re 1 a kg has also reached the Bodpada and Papermetla panchayat headquarters and will be distributed among beneficiaries.

A district administration official said a 13/11 KV transformers would be installed at Bodpada and health sub-centres constructed at six panchayats.

"Infrastructure at the 151 villages of the seven panchayats will be strengthened in the next few months. Development of the regions will be done on a priority basis," said Malkangiri collector Manish Agrawal.

Villagers also expressed happiness after seeing the development process being initiated. "We are happy that we will get safe drinking water. For the first time a vehicle entered our village," said Adu Gouda, a Bodpada resident.

Naveen had announced a special package of Rs 100 crore for the development of the swabhiman area and assured of personally monitoring the development activities.