Sri Vijaya Puram, June 17: Residents of a remote and hilly village have come forward in support of a recently constructed road, stating that the project was completed through collective community efforts after years of waiting for improved connectivity.
According to villagers, inadequate road infrastructure had remained a longstanding challenge for the area, affecting access to education, healthcare and other essential services. They said the absence of a proper road forced residents to travel on foot through difficult terrain, particularly during adverse weather conditions.
Community members stated that schoolchildren, elderly residents, women and pregnant women were among those most affected by the lack of connectivity. Reaching schools, health facilities and markets often involved navigating muddy and unsafe pathways, especially during the monsoon season.
Villagers said the newly constructed road was the result of extensive community mobilisation and financial contributions from local residents. They claimed that after repeated efforts to secure assistance over several years yielded limited results, villagers decided to undertake the work themselves.
Addressing concerns surrounding a pond that has become part of the ongoing controversy, residents said the water body had originally been excavated through an NGO initiative to provide water during dry periods. However, they alleged that over time the surrounding area became occupied by rental accommodations, restricting access for local residents who had previously depended on the pond as a community resource.
Several villagers also alleged that the road project encountered repeated objections from certain individuals who questioned its legality and raised concerns through various channels. According to residents, the project proceeded only after obtaining the necessary permissions from relevant authorities, including the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, the Patwari and the Tehsildar.
Community members maintained that the construction process was carried out under the direct supervision of local residents and involved contributions towards hiring machinery and undertaking land-cutting work. They strongly denied allegations of financial irregularities and asserted that no public money was misappropriated during the execution of the project.
Villagers also voiced support for the Zilla Parishad Adhyaksh, rejecting allegations that funds had been collected or accepted without proper authorization. Residents described such claims as unfounded and stated that the Adhyaksh had extended assistance to the community on multiple occasions.
At the same time, some residents raised questions regarding approximately ₹8 lakh that they alleged had been collected earlier by certain individuals for development-related purposes. Villagers demanded a transparent account of how the money was utilized and called for an impartial inquiry into the matter.
According to residents, repeated requests for clarification regarding the expenditure had not resulted in satisfactory explanations. They urged authorities to examine the issue and make the findings public to ensure accountability.
Some villagers also expressed disappointment over what they described as inadequate support from certain elected representatives during the road construction process. While reiterating their respect for public representatives, they questioned why assistance had not materialised despite the road being a long-pending demand of the community.
One resident recalled the difficulties faced by students who were often required to walk long distances through muddy tracks to reach educational institutions. According to villagers, the completion of the road has significantly improved accessibility and eased daily hardships for many families.
Residents have now appealed to the administration to conduct a fair and transparent investigation into the disputed fund allegations while ensuring that ongoing development activities in the village are not hindered.
The issue has sparked wider discussions within the community on rural infrastructure, accountability in development works and the challenges faced by remote villages in securing basic amenities. Villagers maintain that the road represents a collective achievement and hope that future development projects can proceed with greater transparency and cooperation among all stakeholders.
