Tensions erupted in Hatigeda village under Bandhugaon block of Koraput district as local residents halted the ongoing road construction, alleging substandard work and possible irregularities in the project’s execution. The under-construction road, which stretches for about 7 kilometres, connecting Karli to Hatigeda, has become a source of frustration for the villagers who claim the quality of the work is far below expectations.
Allegations of Substandard Construction The villagers have raised concerns that, instead of proper road construction, workers have merely poured concrete over the existing kutcha road without following the required specifications. According to a local resident, “They said it would be a 2-inch concrete layer, but it is not even an inch in many places. This is a 7-kilometre road from Karli to Hatigeda, and the work is extremely poor. People are protesting because this is not how a road should be built. They have just poured concrete over a kutcha surface. The metal that is supposed to be 6 inches thick, no one knows if that has been followed. We have not seen any proposal for the project. The Junior Engineer has not given any clear answer. Let him come with the proposal, and we will check it and then decide what to do next.”
Questions Over Accountability and Supervision The villagers have also expressed concerns over the lack of proper supervision during the construction process. They claim that government officials have failed to inspect the site and ensure the work meets the necessary standards. One villager remarked, “This is the lowest quality of work. The government has given money for this project, but it is also the government’s duty to check how the work is being done. There should be a prope
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