Villagers Prevent Former Minister From Laying Stone For New Road In Odisha’s Puri; Know Why

Puri: Former School & Mass Education minister Samir Ranjan Das was prevented from laying the foundation stone of a road in his constituency in Odisha’s Puri district on Saturday.

According to sources, Das had to lay foundation for a road from Keuta-Salada village under Chhanijanga panchayat in his constituency Nimapada of the district. On coming to know about the minister’s visit, hundreds of villagers of Chakaroda staged a road blockade preventing Dash from going to the spot.

The villagers, who also staged a demonstration in front of Nimapada block office, raised slogans in support of their demand. They told the media that they had been demanding an all-weather road from the village to Chari Chhaka-Gop main road for a long time.

In the absence of the road, children were facing difficulties in going to their schools, particularly in rainy season. Besides, the ambulances were unable to reach the village to carry the patients to hospitals.

Following their persistent demand, Rs 20 lakh was allocated for construction of the road in two phases. After the first phase of road laying work was started with half the fund, it was stopped.

The villagers alleged that instead of completing the unfinished road, the MLA had come to lay stone for another road from Keuta-Salada village with the allocated fund.

As the villagers stuck to their demand and continued the agitation, Puri collector Samarth Verma rushed to the spot. He held a discussion with the agitating villagers and assured them of fulfilling their demand. Later, the villagers called off the agitation.