Since the dawn of Independence, these ill fated villagers have failed to get the much needed basic amenities like road connectivity. As a result, the economic condition of the village is not up to the standard and most of the teenagers, including girls, have to leave studies mid way.
If sources are to be believed, the village Radhanagar under Rajagada panchayat of Mahakalapada block, which is merely 15 km from the district headquarters, confronts severe communication problem since years. They have been deprived of an all-weather road.
While the State Government has been implementing several projects to provide pucca road, but so far as the village is concerned, no such projects have been implemented.
The village Radhanagar with a population of about 200 is situated about 2 km from the Rajgarda main road. The village lacks proper road connectivity. As a result, the villagers have to communicate with Rajagada by wading through agriculture fields round the year. The other option is they have to depend on rickety boat to cross the Govari river to reach at Dasipur.
Even in a slight drizzle, the road turns muddy and unfit for use. During the rainy season most of the villagers prefer to remain indoors. If the villagers have to go to the district headquarters or to the district hospital during rainy season, then they have to reach Rajagada by crossing at least two km knee deep water and mud-filled agriculture fields, alleged Puspalata Basantia, a villager.
During the rainy season, if a person falls sick or a woman has to go to district headquarters hospital for delivering child , then the matter is simply left to their fate. The villagers at best switch over to medieval system of carrying patients in baskets.
The villagers never get opportunity to avail 102 ambulance and 108 ambulance services due to lack of a road.
Similarly, lack of communication is an impediment in availing education at the nearby schools by the villagers. They also find it hard to organise marriages and other social functions.
The district administration and the people representatives have not showed any interest to help the villagers, informed Sukant Kumar lenka, a villager.
When contacted, Kendrapada ADM Sasadhar Nayak said, “I have directed the BDO of Mahakalapada to visit the village and take steps for a road. It has come to the notice of the district administration that there is no Government land for constructing a road. If the villagers give away land to the administration, then a road is possible.”