The district administration of Bolangir district acted promptly after a news report aired by Odisha TV (OTV) exposed the alleged neglect and absence of basic civic amenities in a Dalit hamlet of Dumerchuan village under Turekela block.
The report highlighted serious infrastructure gaps in the settlement, particularly the absence of street lighting and access to safe drinking water. Residents of the hamlet had been living in darkness for years, raising repeated concerns over being excluded from development initiatives.
Soon after the issue was broadcast, the block administration installed three street lights in the locality overnight, bringing immediate relief to the residents.
“There was no street light in our area. After the news was aired, they immediately installed three lights in our locality. Were they sleeping? Are we not residents of this area? We were suffering,” said Kunja Suna, a local resident, expressing both relief and frustration.
Apart from the lighting issue, villagers also pointed out that the piped drinking water supply system has remained defunct for nearly one and a half years. Additionally, tube wells in the hamlet are reportedly non-functional, worsening the water crisis in the area.
Officials have stated that necessary steps have been initiated to restore the drinking water supply at the earliest. The administration has assured residents that appropriate measures will be taken to address the grievances and ensure the availability of basic amenities in the hamlet.
