Sambhal Villagers Protest, Allege Main Road Has Turned Into Pond

Villagers in Kamalpur Kafurpur troubled by waterlogging and filth

Residents of Kamalpur Kafurpur village in Sambhal/Asmauli held a protest inside the village over waterlogging, unclean surroundings and the poor condition of the roads. Carrying pictures highlighting their problems and raising slogans, the villagers appealed to the administration to act quickly.

They demanded that the village’s main unpaved road be made permanent and that the waterlogging be cleared. The protest came amid allegations that claims of development in the village had failed and that the cleanliness campaign was being disregarded.

Main road turned into a pond

The main unpaved road in the village has reportedly turned into a pond. Dirty water has remained stagnant over a stretch of about 100-150 metres, with insects and a foul smell adding to the residents’ problems.

The same route is used every day by schoolchildren going to school, women going to fetch water and elderly residents going to get medicines. Villagers said they face the risk of slipping in the water, while the stagnant water has also raised fears of infectious diseases.

Residents said there has been no proper drainage since the rains. They said the village has neither a drain nor any concrete arrangement for the disposal of water. Even light rain reportedly turns the road into a muddy stretch.

Cycling and riding a motorcycle have become difficult on the route. Villagers said that even walking through the area has become difficult. They also said that schoolchildren have fallen and suffered injuries several times.

Villagers say complaints brought only assurances

Villagers Ramveer, Mahipal, Sunil and others said they had complained several times, from the village head to block officials, but received only assurances.

“We have complained several times, from the village head to the block officials, but every time we receive only assurances. No one is listening. The development of the village is visible on paper, while on the ground there is mud and foul smell,” they said.

Women in the village said the filth had led to an increase in mosquitoes and flies inside their homes. They said they were worried about diseases such as dengue and malaria. According to them, the smell becomes so strong in the evening that it is difficult to sit inside the house.

Two main demands

The villagers have put forward two main demands. They want the unpaved road in the village to be immediately made permanent through a CC road or khadanja. They have also demanded the construction of a permanent drain and a canal for the disposal of water.

The residents warned that if the problem is not resolved soon, they will be forced to go to the block headquarters and hold a bigger protest.

For now, the entire village is waiting for the administration to respond. Residents want the mud on their route to dry up and are seeking a clean road for their daily movement.

Rajat Malhotra.