Sambalpur : Anondescript and cut off village in Odisha’s Sambalpur district has finally got bridge connectivity which was a long-pending demand of the local residents.
However, the credit of transforming the dream of the bridge into reality goes to minor siblings- Ayush Ranjan Rout and Adyasha Priyadarshini Rout. With their tireless efforts of around seven years, construction of the bridge has started at their native village Kudhanali under Naktideul block of Sambalpur district.
According to sources, the residents of Kudhanali had been facing many difficulties while communicating to other places due to lack of a bridge over the nullah near the village. Despite their repeated requests, the construction of bridge could not be taken up on the nullah due to the border disputes between Sambalpur and Angul districts.
When the brother-sister came across the plight of the villagers, they decided to help them in the endeavour. They initially wrote a letter to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Governor in 2013 and to Odisha Human Rights Commission in 2014 seeking their intervention. Ultimately they shot off a letter to the Prime Minister in 2016.
Though they had received replies on their letters, the border dispute between Sambalpur and Angul posed a hindrance to the construction of the bridge.
However, after the intervention of the PMO, the border dispute was resolved and construction work of the bridge has commenced.
The sibling duo said once their father had a narrow escape from drowning in the nullah. That incident prompted them to write a letter to the Odisha CM.
Sources said the bridge will help residents of five villages to commute to other parts. The efforts of the two siblings have earned appreciation from the villagers.
