Despite the Housing Urban Development (HUD) Department’s announcement to upgrade Bonai into a Notified Area Council (NAC), the local residents still are uncertain whether they can harvest the fruits of urbanisation or it would be a false statement because eight months have elapsed since the HUD Department’s declaration but steps are not yet initiated to convert the area to an NAC. Rather, it is still treated as a rural area.
This was a long-standing demand of Bonai people and the State Government had been sleeping over it just announcing the proposal in June 2014. Sources said the proposed NAC would be formed by merger of Kendrikela and Jakeikela Gram Panchayats with Bonai and together, it would have a population of 18,000.
Bonai town has its own historic significance. Once upon a time it was the headquarters of princely estate of Bonaigarh and the then king’s partially ramshackle palace still stands here. After independence while Sundargarh became a district, Bonai became the headquarters of a sub-division while Bonai block continues to be treated as a gram panchayat.
Though the subdivision is a mineral rich area and has the maximum contribution to both the State and Central Governments’ exchequer, it has been neglected. As most of the denizens are of tribal community and lead very simple life, their genuine demand for NAC and other rights were easily denied.
Bonai MlA laxman Munda said after announcing the proposal of NAC tag to Bonai in June 2014, no further development took place. H said several times he urged the district administration, the HUD Department and the Urban Development Minister to take early steps including taking the consent of Palli Sabha and Gram Sabha to pave way for formation of the NAC soon.
Munda said he would take up the issue with the HUD Department again. He said after becoming NAC, the town will be developed in a planned manner with better roads, drainage systems, sanitation, housing units, piped drinking water supply system, new bus stands and street lighting.
Former Bonai MlA and Congress leader Bhimasen Choudhury said he had raised the issue in State Assembly several times and taken up the matter with the district administration but no steps were taken. He further said industrial activities have grown in periphery areas of Bonai, but no urban centre has been developed here yet which is a matter of concern. So, without delaying further, attempt should be taken up to declare NAC status to Bonai, added Choudhury.
Bonai Sub-Collector Surendra Kumar Meena said adequate financial resources and technical manpower would be available after formation of NAC to ensure sustained growth including planned road and transport network, drainage and sanitary system, piped water supply and streetlighting system. Renovation of Bonai bus-stand and drainage work is underway.
Works on a children’s park, parade ground and shopping complex were completed recently. Street lighting facility would soon be added to the main locality of Bonai with the funds being sourced from Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contributions of industrial and mining houses, added Meena.