Barrai villagers protest damaged roads, sanitation problems, allege head-secretary negligence

Chandausi: Anger among villagers erupted in Barrai gram panchayat of Baniyakhera development block over the poor condition of roads and sanitation arrangements. Villagers staged a protest in the village on Wednesday, raising their concerns about damaged roads and waterlogging. They demanded that road construction and cleaning work be carried out at the earliest.

According to the villagers, the main road in the village has remained in poor condition since the previous five-year term. The road has potholes at several places. During rainfall, water collects in these potholes, turning the road into a muddy and dirty stretch.

The route is used by people for their daily movement. However, the waterlogging and mud have made it difficult for villagers to travel. They said that the condition of the road is causing regular trouble for people who need to use it.

The villagers said the road connects three villages and is used every day by people from around 100 families. With water and mud covering the route, people travelling on motorcycles and bicycles often slip and fall.

They said elderly people and women face the greatest difficulty while trying to cross the affected stretch. The villagers also raised concerns about the problems faced by schoolchildren who use the same road.

Schoolchildren face major problems

According to the villagers, schoolchildren are suffering the most because of the poor road conditions. On their way to school, their clothes and shoes become dirty due to the mud. They then face delays in reaching school as well as embarrassment because of their dirty clothes and footwear.

The villagers said that several children have also slipped and fallen while using the road.

They further said that the issue had been raised several times with the village head and the panchayat secretary, but no action was taken. The villagers accused the officials of repeatedly neglecting development work in the area.

The villagers also said that the sanitation worker does not visit the village regularly. As a result, water from the drains is flowing onto the road, adding to the waterlogging, mud and dirt.

The villagers accused the village head and the panchayat secretary of ignoring development work. They warned that if the road is not repaired soon and cleaning work is not carried out, they will approach senior officials and will be forced to hold a sit-in protest.

They also demanded that the District Magistrate intervene in the matter and take action.