Vedanta’s Neglect: Dongajhula Village Left in the Dark
Rayagada :- In a shocking revelation, the Dongajhula village, located just 500 meters from the Vedanta company’s premises in Lanjigarh, Odisha, has been left without basic infrastructure, including a proper road. Despite repeated pleas to the authorities and the company, the villagers are still waiting for development.
The village, home to 18 families, has been facing immense difficulties due to the lack of a road. The villagers are forced to carry patients on stretchers to reach the nearest hospital, and children have to cross the Bansidhar Nala river to attend school. The situation is further exacerbated by the absence of anganwadi centers, healthcare facilities, and clean drinking water.
The Vedanta company, which set up its operations in the area in 2003, had promised to bring development and prosperity to the region. However, the reality is starkly different. The villagers allege that the company has not fulfilled its promises and has instead prioritized its own interests.
The villagers have been demanding a road and other basic facilities for years, but their pleas have fallen on deaf ears. The situation has led to widespread discontent among the villagers, who are now threatening to protest if their demands are not met.
The villagers claim that they have been raising their voices about the lack of infrastructure and basic amenities for over two decades. Despite this, the authorities and the company have failed to take any meaningful action.
“We have been demanding a road for years, but no one seems to care about our problems,” said Bijay Majhi, a villager. “We are forced to live in a state of neglect, while the company reaps the benefits of our land and resources.”
The Vedanta company had promised to bring development to the region, including roads, healthcare facilities, and employment opportunities. However, the villagers claim that these promises have not been fulfilled.
“We were told that the company would bring prosperity to our village, but the reality is different,” said Sunil Majhi, another villager. “We are still waiting for the benefits that were promised to us.”
Despite the neglect and broken promises, the villagers are determined to fight for their rights. They have threatened to protest if their demands are not met, and are seeking support from local authorities and civil society organizations.
“We will not give up until our demands are met,” said Rinu Majhi, a villager. “We deserve better living conditions and basic amenities, and we will fight for them.”
The situation in Dongajhula village highlights the need for greater accountability and transparency in the operations of companies like Vedanta. The villagers’ struggle for basic rights and amenities is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by communities affected by industrialization and mining activities in the region.
As the company continues to operate in the area, it is imperative that it takes responsibility for the welfare of the villagers and works towards providing them with the basic amenities they deserve. The authorities too must take note of the situation and ensure that the villagers’ demands are met.
Reported by Gouri Shankar Pattnaik
