A host of problems plagues Kalahandi

Expressbuzz, April 13, 2009

BHAWANIPATNA: Elections are just a few days away and electioneering has been intensified by almost all the candidates. To cash in on several problems of the region, politicians are going all out to lure the voters. But people of Kalahandi have become more conscious of significance of their votes.

The going would not be easy for the candidates this time as the electorate said they would take into consideration several issues plaguing the region before exercising their franchise.

Lack of development in all sectors of the district is going to be the main issue this time.

Two of the main poll issues this time around are the deteriorating road condition and the recurring floods.

The condition of roads in the region have deteriorated beyond limit and the NH-201 and NH-217 passing through the district are no exception.

During monsoon, the region regular faces flood havoc with surplus water of Indiravati project being released into the river Hati. As a result, many villages on the river bank submerge and the road communication near Junagarh over NH-201 is disrupted as the river water overflows.

Although the foundation stone for a second bridge over the river Hati was laid by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik five years back near Karmela ghat, work is yet to begin. Similarly, construction of a high-level bridge at Janagarh is even yet to start.

On the agriculture front, production of paddy and other crops has increased following the Indiravati project, the number of rice mills has gone up from 20 to 130 in a decade and the number of godowns has also increased.

However, farmers are still a worried lot. Due to poor market network, they are not getting the real price for their produce.

The district does not have technical education colleges. For the proposed medical college at Jaring, a foundation stone was laid prior to the last election. But work on the 200-bed medical college and hospital hasn’t started. To cap it, unemployment is a major problem in non-irrigation pockets and among tribals of the district.