Snag hits motor launch service to Balimela area

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Source: The Hindu (http://www.hinduonnet.com/2009/12/10/stories/2009121050760300.htm)
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Snag hits motor launch service to Balimela area


Staff Reporter

Naxal hand suspected in the four launches developing technical problems suddenly
BERHAMPUR: The motor launch service to cut-off areas of ‘Balimela reservoir’ in Malkangiri district have not been available for the past week.
The four motor launches of the Balimela project which were being used for transportation of persons from the cut-off area have developed technical snags.
Sudden technical problem has raised suspicion about some conspiracy behind it as it is a naxal-infested area.
According officials it may be a ploy of Maoists to detach the tribals living in the cut-off area from the activities of the administration.
It may be noted that the Maoists through their violent means have not allowed any construction firm to take up the work of the Gurupriya bridge which could facilitate easy road communication to the villages in the cut-off area of the reservoir.
Around 30,000 people of 151 villages living in the cut-off area are suffering for want of communication. Now their only means of transportation to the mainland in the State happens to be country boats which are too dangerous to ply in the deep reservoir.
This cut-off area was created due to construction of two major reservoirs at Machhkund in 1960s and Balimela in 80s.
Tehsildar of Chitrakonda D. Gopalkrishna said efforts were on to repair the motor launches. But it may take another four days for the technicians to make the motor launches fit for travel.
Few months ago the inhabitants of the villages of cut-off area had taken up agitation demanding better amenities in their area. One of their major demands was more motor launches for better communication to their area. Promises were made to include two more motor launches for transportation of people and goods across the reservoir.
The authorities of the Balimela Hydel project have placed orders to acquire two new motor launches. These new motor launches are expected to reach the reservoir by March next year.

Healthcare hit
The lack of transportation via motor launches has affected the provision of health services and transportation of essential commodities to cut-off villages. Essential commodities like rice and kerosene are not reaching the area from the mainland.


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