Koraput: Villagers of Podiaguda under Kathargada panchayat of Borigumma block in the district have started constructing a 5km road amid thick forest and terrain to reach the panchayat headquarters.
"Our village don't have any road to reach Kathargada, for which the villagers are forced to trek in the hilly terrain to reach the panchayat headquarters for various official and personal chores," said Brundban Pujari, a villager.
Nestled atop a hill, Podiaguda houses at least 18 tribal families belonging to the BPL category, who eke out a living by doing minor agriculture and daily labour.
To reach the village, one has to trek around 5km from Champapadar through the forest. The villagers allege that though they have urged the district administration for construction of a road on several occasions, but in vain.
"Without any road we face much problem. It's a nightmare to shift patients from the village to hospital as ambulance fails to come to the village. Also, government officials skip visiting the village for non-availability of road," said Arjun Pujari, another villager.
As the government failed to address their grievances, the resolute villagers decided to construct a 5km road from their village to Champa Padar.
They said the road construction, which had been started around three weeks ago, would be completed in the next two weeks. They are now levelling the base with putting stones for easy movement of vehicles. "Once the road is ready, four-wheelers and big vehicles can easily reach the village. While villagers can bring their produce to sell at the urban markets, patients could also be easily shifted to hospital," said Arjun.
Block officials said funds had been sanctioned for the construction of the road, but the work could not be taken up as forest clearance was required for it. "We have sought clearance from the forest department. Once we get it, the road work will start," said a block official of Borigumma.
On part of the villagers, there is no breach of law as the road they are making is neither macadamised nor a tar-laden one.
