Odisha TV: Odisha: Thursday, 21 August 2025.
A major irregularity has
come to light in Pattamundai block of Kendrapara district, where villagers
alleged that funds sanctioned under the Mukhya Mantri Sadak Yojana have been
misappropriated without any road construction being carried out.
According to sources, Rs 6.18 crore was sanctioned in March 2024 for the construction of a 6.1 km road from Malipur via Raghapur, Damarapur and Balipatna up to Balabhadrapur. The tender, issued by the Rural Development Department, was awarded on March 15, 2024, with the project deadline fixed for December 14, 2024.
However, despite records obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act showing the work as ‘completed’, villagers claim not a single stretch of road has been laid. The project site bears only a signboard displaying details of materials like sand and cement, but on the ground, the road remains in a deplorable state, unchanged as earlier.
“As per the RTI, the road should start from Malipur via Raghapur, Damarapur and Balipatna up to Balabhadrapur. As per the data, construction work supposed to end by December 14, 2024. But there is no sign of construction,” alleged Prashant Mohanty, RTI activist.
“We were hopeful that the road would benefit 15000-20000 people. But no work has been done,” alleged Asish Mallick, a villager.
Residents from at least five panchayats, who depend on this road for daily commute, alleged that officials and contractors colluded to siphon off the funds. Not even a layer of soil has been laid and ‘we continue to suffer on the same broken road, locals complained’, they alleged.
“The RTI data show the construction work is complete and the bill has been sanctioned. But surprisingly, we cannot find the newly built road,” alleged Ramakant Dash, another villager.
Meanwhile, the district Collector has assured that a probe will be conducted into the matter.
“I will hold a detailed review with the concerned departments and necessary action will be taken accordingly,” assured Raghuram R. Iyer, Kendrapara Collector.
According to sources, Rs 6.18 crore was sanctioned in March 2024 for the construction of a 6.1 km road from Malipur via Raghapur, Damarapur and Balipatna up to Balabhadrapur. The tender, issued by the Rural Development Department, was awarded on March 15, 2024, with the project deadline fixed for December 14, 2024.
However, despite records obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act showing the work as ‘completed’, villagers claim not a single stretch of road has been laid. The project site bears only a signboard displaying details of materials like sand and cement, but on the ground, the road remains in a deplorable state, unchanged as earlier.
“As per the RTI, the road should start from Malipur via Raghapur, Damarapur and Balipatna up to Balabhadrapur. As per the data, construction work supposed to end by December 14, 2024. But there is no sign of construction,” alleged Prashant Mohanty, RTI activist.
“We were hopeful that the road would benefit 15000-20000 people. But no work has been done,” alleged Asish Mallick, a villager.
Residents from at least five panchayats, who depend on this road for daily commute, alleged that officials and contractors colluded to siphon off the funds. Not even a layer of soil has been laid and ‘we continue to suffer on the same broken road, locals complained’, they alleged.
“The RTI data show the construction work is complete and the bill has been sanctioned. But surprisingly, we cannot find the newly built road,” alleged Ramakant Dash, another villager.
Meanwhile, the district Collector has assured that a probe will be conducted into the matter.
“I will hold a detailed review with the concerned departments and necessary action will be taken accordingly,” assured Raghuram R. Iyer, Kendrapara Collector.
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