Umerkote, 12th Sept 2025: Under Umerkote block of Nabarangpur district, where the government has constructed roads for better connectivity in 26 panchayats, the Chikalpadar–Mituguda–Pujaribharandi road has turned into a disgraceful condition just months after completion, sparking public outrage.
The road was developed under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) with a sanctioned budget of ₹1 crore 81 lakh 70 thousand. According to the signage, the project began on 15 December 2022 and was completed on 14 December 2023. The road spans 3,700 meters, of which 3.635 km was asphalted (bitumen layer).
Funding Details:
60% Central Government grant
40% Odisha Government funds
Maintenance fund for 5 years: ₹14 lakh
₹2 lakh in 2023–24
₹2.4 lakh in 2024–25
₹2.8 lakh in 2025–26
Despite this, many sections of the road are already damaged, especially where bitumen was laid directly over loose morrum (soil) without proper binding, pointing to serious lapses in construction quality.
Contractor & Oversight:
The project was executed by contractor Rashmita Swain, under the supervision of the Rural Development Department (RD Division), Umerkote. Allegations suggest the engineers and officials approved and passed the bills without proper inspection, and the contractor withdrew payments using falsified quality claims.
When asked for a response, Executive Engineer Tilottama Pradhan refused to comment, stating:
> “Write whatever you want. I will not respond.”
Public Outcry:
Locals say the road’s condition is so poor that even a visually impaired person can tell that corruption has occurred.
Though crores were spent from public funds, people say the main beneficiaries seem to be the contractor and complicit officials.
There are growing demands from intellectuals and locals to:
Conduct a vigilance inquiry
Block the road in protest if no action is taken
The incident highlights how corruption is undermining development, and despite government intentions to create a “Developed Odisha,” areas like Umerkote are being left behind due to deep-rooted negligence and mismanagement.