Phulbani (Odisha): The river Kalipenu flows below with very strong currents and on the above, the tribal people walk on the electric wires used as a bridge to cross the river putting their lives at great risk.
From young children to even sick people, everybody is using the electric wires as a bridge and walking on them in a dangerous manner.
While walking on this make-shift bridge of electric wires, if one loses his slight attention for a moment then there is every possibility of his slipping into the river and being washed away in its strong current.
Birindapada village under Gunjibadi grama panchayat of K. Nuagaon block of the backward tribal-dominated district of Kalahandi depicts this extremely fearful and dangerous scene.
It is not a scene of a day or two, this is the scene being witnessed for the last thirty years.
The people are crossing the river by tying four pieces of electric wire to the trees on both sides of the river.
On their part, the villagers are continuing their journey of life in this dangerous manner using the electric wires as a bridge over the river, but on the other hand, the local administration has made fun of the difficulties experienced by the people.
The administration has turned down their demand on the ground that an alternative arrangement is available for their communication to the other side of the river.
But for that, the people have to cross an extra distance of six kilometres. Although the alternative road is safe, the tribal people are obstinate and sticking to their demand.
In order to save time, they have made their own arrangement to cross the river.
However, keeping the security of life of the people and the inherent danger in crossing the river in such manner, the local Block Development Officer (BDO) has been regularly dismantling the electric wires which have caused strong resentment among the people.
On their part, the villagers have alleged that the state government, as well as the local administration, have been ignoring their genuine demand in spite of their repeated pleas, while several expensive programmes being undertaken for the benefit of the tribal people are actually creating difficulties for them.
On their side, the government sticks to its principle that the security of life of the people is more important even though crossing of the river by an alternative road requires more time.
But the tribal people had also put forth their argument in support of a direct bridge over the river.
One has to wait to see as to when the administration would find a solution to the problem of constructing a bridge over the river and also pay attention to their grievances.
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