Bhubaneswar: Frustrated by repeated appeals for road repairs allegedly going unanswered, a group of senior citizens in Malipada on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar decided to take matters into their own hands, pooling money from their pensions and personal savings to repair the only road connecting their housing society to the main road.
Members of the Acropolis Association of Allottees led the initiative to repair the approximately 700-metre stretch between Revenue Training Institute Square and their housing society.
Residents said the road had deteriorated badly, with large potholes and severe waterlogging making the stretch difficult to use, particularly during the monsoon.
The poor condition of the road had also raised safety concerns, with residents pointing to increased risks for children, elderly people and two-wheeler riders using the route.
Repeated Appeals Allegedly Went Unanswered
According to residents, several requests were made to local authorities, elected representatives and the Khurda district administration seeking repairs.
However, association members said their appeals did not result in the necessary action.
With the road continuing to deteriorate, residents eventually decided to undertake temporary repairs themselves.
Residents Pool Savings for Repairs
The senior citizens collected funds among themselves and used the money to purchase construction materials. They then carried out patchwork repairs on the damaged sections, attempting to make the road safer and more usable.
Association president Sushanta Kumar Biswal said residents had been left with little choice after their repeated requests failed to produce a solution.
The initiative has drawn appreciation from local residents, who have praised the senior citizens for stepping forward to address a problem affecting their community.
Demand for Permanent Solution
Despite the residents’ efforts, the repair work is being viewed as a temporary measure.
Residents are now demanding that the authorities undertake proper and permanent reconstruction or resurfacing of the entire stretch, along with measures to address the waterlogging that contributes to the road’s deterioration.
For the senior citizens who repaired the road themselves, the message is clear: community initiative can provide temporary relief, but basic civic infrastructure ultimately remains the responsibility of the authorities.
-OdishaAge
