Odisha MLA Meets Class II Student After His Letter For Road Repair, Promises Quick Work

Bhubaneswar: Moved by a Class II student’s letter to him seeking repair of a road in Pipili area of Odisha’s Puri district, BJD MLA Rudra Pratap Maharathy met the boy, hailed his initiative and promised to ensure completion of the work by November this year.

Maharathy, who represents Pipili in the state Assembly, interacted with seven-year-old Rashmi Ranjan Rout and enquired about the hardship faced by the residents of the area while travelling on the damaged canal road in Siula.

Stating that he has already spoken to the officials concerned, the legislator said the tender process for the roadwork has already been launched and work will begin soon.

“As soon as the rainy season is over, work will be taken up to repair the road on a war footing,” Maharathy said, adding that the officials have been asked to complete the work by October or November.

Hailing the initiative taken by the student, he said, “The boy has done commendable work by mustering the courage to write the letter. He has done it for common interest which is praiseworthy.”

Maharathy, who first came to know about the boy’s letter from a local TV channel, said he spoke to the Sarpanch of Gobindpur on the matter before meeting the boy as the step taken by him was in the interest of the residents of the area.

Happy over his son’s effort, Rashmi’s father N K Rout said they were initially nervous after learning about the letter written to the MLA. However, the step taken by the boy was aimed at providing the people in the area with a good road and not for any personal benefit.