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KANDHAMAL: Funds to the tune of crores of rupees were pumped in by several foreign agencies, government and voluntary organisations to rehabilitate people of Kandhamal district following the 2008 communal violence. It was believed that the money would be spent for building infrastructure in the district. However, development continues to be a far cry here.People here walk dangerously over a wire to cross a nullah, locally called Kalitenu, risking their life to reach the world beyond the boundaries of their village. This is the part of life of tribal and Dalit families living in Banjamaha village in the district.Banjamaha is hardly seven km from the Raikia block office, but provisions like drinking water, roads are a dream for inhabitants here.The village is inhabited by around 100 families and comes under two blocks. Around 80 houses are included in Raikia Sadar panchayat’s ward no 2 under Raika block and the remaining houses come under Gunjibadi panchayat’s ward no 14 in Nuagaon block.A nullah flows from Raikia between Banjamaha and Makabali villages. Though Banjamaha villagers have been demanding a bridge over it, no measures have been taken by the authorities concerned so far. Under these circumstances, an iron wire is used by villagers to cross the nullah to move out of the village and reach Nuagaon block.Every need that requires to cross the nullah forces these people to risk their lives. From going for marketing or a health check up, these people have to cross the nullah by walking on the wire tied to trees and logs on the bank. This again is made by the people of the village. “We face a lot of trouble during the monsoon when the nullah swells. Many times, in case of emergency, we are unable to take someone to the nearby hospital or go to the market for essential goods. Many patients die because of this,” said Rabindra, a local. Likewise, a temporary dilapidated wooden bridge is the only connection of the villagers to reach Raikia block. The village has two block development officers, but they rarely visit the place. There is no electricity and drinking water facilities in the village.Banjamaha usually remains cut-off from the mainstream when the nullah swells during rainy season.Zilla Parishad member Satyanarayan Pradhan claimed that the Parishad had sanctioned `20 lakh for the construction of a bridge for the village two years back. Even the amount was handed over to Rural Development Department, but work is yet to begin.
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