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States » EastPosted at: May 5 2025 5:17PM


Odisha: NHRC directs Koraput Collector to complete road connectivity projects

Kendrapara (Odisha), May 5 (UNI) The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the Koraput Collector to take all necessary steps to complete road connectivity projects in the district under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) or other applicable schemes.
The NHRC also forwarded a copy of its order to the Odisha Chief Secretary for information and necessary action.
The directive came following a petition filed by human rights activist Radhakanta Tripathy. The NHRC passed the order on last Friday after reviewing reports submitted by state authorities.
Tripathy highlighted the case of Pushpanjali Khora (35), a pregnant woman from Haldisil village under Dusarsuni Panchayat in Koraput district, who had to be carried on a stretcher to the Dasmantpur Community Health Centre because an ambulance could not reach her due to the deplorable condition of the road.
The petitioner claimed that 35 such incidents have been reported since 2016, describing it as a common occurrence in Koraput’s remote villages, especially for those needing urgent medical care.
Tripathy urged the NHRC to ensure compensation for affected victims and to guarantee all-weather road and digital connectivity to all villages in the district.
The NHRC noted that, according to the Koraput Collector, there are still 191 unconnected village habitations with populations exceeding 100 people. The District Administration stated it is taking concrete steps to complete these road connectivity projects under MGNREGS.
The Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Panchayati Raj Department also submitted that instructions had been issued to Collectors and District Programme Coordinators of MGNREGS in 24 districts — including Koraput — to initiate projects ensuring all-weather road connectivity to unconnected habitations.
Previously, the Koraput District Administration had informed the Commission that Pushpanjali Khora gave birth to a healthy baby boy on August 24, 2024, at the Community Health Centre in Dasmantpur and both mother and child are in good health.
In his rejoinder, Tripathy again urged the Commission to ensure compensation for the mother and child, citing the trauma they endured due to inadequate road access and the resulting lack of institutional delivery — a responsibility of the administration.
On March 28, 2022, seven top IAS officers, including the District Collector and the Chief Secretary, were directed to appear virtually before the NHRC due to their failure to respond to over 2,000 cases filed by Tripathy concerning the lack of basic necessities and amenities in Koraput.
Tripathy expressed concern that despite repeated NHRC directives and assurances from district and state authorities, 191 village habitations with populations over 100 remain unconnected by road. He also contested the claim that all rural habitations in six other districts are connected with all-weather roads.
"The complainant rightly raised the issue," the NHRC noted, "and the Collector's report is concerning — 191 village habitations with more than 100 people remain unconnected, and the district administration has yet to address the issue."
The NHRC has requested a detailed compliance report within 12 weeks.
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Tags: #Odisha: NHRC directs Koraput Collector to complete road connectivity projects
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