Tribal dominated Odisha village gets new lease of life after completion of all-weather road

Bhubaneswar, May 13, 2018: The tribals in Buratal village in
Ganjam district have got a new lease of life after the successful completion of
the Asian Development Bank (ADB) assisted Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)
road.

Buratal, a tribal village having a population of 255, is
located at a distance of 90 km from the district headquarters, 30 km from block
headquarters and 7 km from the nearest all-weather road.

The village is located in a forested area having no communication
with steep gradient approximately 1 in 6 to 1 in 8, the grade not feasible for
plying of vehicles, even two wheelers.

Prior to construction of the “R.D Road to Buratal” taken up
under ADB Assisted PMGSY Package No.OR-11-ADB-74, the only mode of
communication was walking.

Villagers had to walk down 6 km to the foot of the forest
for their livelihood and to avail their basic needs.

For medical aids, the patient had to be brought to the
hospital in a “dola” (palanquin). In times of epidemics like cholera,
many villagers were left to die in absence of basic medical attention.

Even after 70 years of India’s Independence, Buratal
villagers were denied basic needs in terms of health, education and marketplace
due to absence of road connectivity.

After getting a forest clearance from Berhampur Divisional
Forest Officer, The ADB assisted PMGSY road was constructed keeping the grade 1
in 15 viable for plying of all type of vehicles.

When the road was extended till Buratal, the Rural Works
officials could see the happiness on the faces of the villagers.

The villagers greeted the Rural Works officials with a grand
feast and hoisting of the National Flag to show their gratitude for the job
done by the Rural Works Department.

Now, the village is being connected with an all-weather
road.