Tal Kandaguda village lacks road, electricity in Kalahandi

Tal Kandaguda village in Kalahandi district, Odisha, remains without a motorable road or electricity nearly eight decades after India’s Independence, leaving its 18 families and about 150 residents to trek roughly seven kilometres through forest tracks to reach basic services. The settlement, under Sindhipadar panchayat in Thuamul Rampur block, also lacks safe drinking water, a school, anganwadi centre and healthcare facilities, while Aadhaar errors block access to welfare schemes. Villagers have appealed to local MLA Pradeep Kumar Dishari, MP Malvika Devi and the district administration for an all‑weather road and essential infrastructure.

What challenges do residents face?

The village has no motorable road, so residents must walk roughly seven kilometres through forest tracks to reach the nearest road or access essential services. It also lacks electricity, safe drinking water, a school, anganwadi centre and healthcare facilities. As ambulances cannot enter the settlement, pregnant women and critically ill patients are carried on makeshift stretchers to hospitals in Thuamul Rampur or Junagada. Errors in Aadhaar cards have reportedly prevented several residents from availing welfare schemes such as Subhadra Yojana and subsidised food grains under the Public Distribution System.

What actions have officials promised?

Villagers have appealed to local MLA Pradeep Kumar Dishari, MP Malvika Devi and the district administration for an all‑weather road and other essential infrastructure. Responding to the demand, Block Development Officer Dhruva Charan Muduli said an administrative team has already visited the village. He added that an earthen road will initially be constructed under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme before being handed over to the Rural Works Department for permanent development. He also said steps will be taken soon to improve electricity and educational facilities in the village.

How do villagers earn a living and what have they requested?

Most families in Tal Kandaguda depend on the collection and sale of minor forest produce for their livelihood, making access to markets and public services even more difficult without road connectivity. The residents’ repeated pleas highlight the need for an all‑weather road to link the settlement with nearby towns and administrative centres. They hope such infrastructure will eventually bring healthcare, education and other essential services to the remote village. The administration has indicated that work on the earthen road will begin shortly under MGNREGS.

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