Nandapur Residents of seven panchayats have submitted a memorandum to Koraput MLA Raghuram Mach on Sunday, demanding the construction of a bridge over the Kolab reservoir to connect Tentulipadar village (Umbel Panchayat, Lamptaput block under Nandapur Police Station) with Podagada village (Semiliguda block). If the bridge is constructed, it will link Lamptaput and Semiliguda blocks, significantly reducing the distance from the district headquarters for the people of Umbel Panchayat from the current 50 kilometers to just 15 kilometers.
Memorandum Submitted to MLA by Panchayat Residents
According to the memorandum, the bridge would facilitate better connectivity, boost trade, strengthen familial relations, and improve daily commute between the two blocks. MLA Raghuram Mach assured the residents that he would discuss the issue with the Chief Minister and the concerned department minister and take necessary steps to ensure the bridge construction.
Public Interaction and Memorandum Submission
Residents from the seven panchayats submitted the memorandum during a public interaction with the MLA. As per sources, on April 13, 2023, four people from Umbel and Rajput Panchayats drowned at the Tentulipadar river ghat when a country boat capsized. Remembering that tragic incident two years later, people from Umbel, Banamaliput, Tikarpadar, and Kumaragandhana panchayats of Lamptaput block and Rajput, Rajpalma, Pitaguda, and Sunabeda urban area of Semiliguda block held a joint meeting and invited the MLA to visit.
During his visit, the MLA was shown the river ghat and was informed about the dangerous travel conditions and livelihood struggles of the seven panchayats. He was also handed the memorandum.
The meeting was attended by the sarpanches, samiti members, and Zilla Parishad members from the seven panchayats including Purnachandra Pangi, Geetarani Mahala, social worker Trilochan Muduli, Pitambar Kishani, and Muna Dalapati. The event was organized and coordinated by Ram Muduli, Ghenu Kalabi, Manoj Sisa, Kamal Lochan Sisa, Arjun Muduli, Balaram Khul, Ravi Golari, and Bhagaban Sisa.