‘No Village Will Remain Backward’: MP Ulaka Pushes for Road Revival in Koraput, Rayagada

Urgent Approval Sought for Road Repair in Koraput and Rayagada: No Village Will Remain Backward, Says MP Saptagiri Ulaka.

In a significant development towards improving rural connectivity in South Odisha, the Standing Committee of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj has taken decisive steps to address the longstanding issue of poor road infrastructure in the tribal-dominated districts of Koraput and Rayagada.

Lok Sabha MP Saptagiri Ulaka informed through a press release that hundreds of villages in his constituency are still deprived of basic road connectivity, despite the existence of major schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY). He highlighted that the failure in effective implementation has left people in Koraput, Rayagada, Malkangiri, and Nabarangpur struggling with basic transportation and access to essential services.

To address the situation, the Standing Committee on Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (2025–26) has constituted special review teams in the affected districts. The National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC) has been directed to conduct a comprehensive field assessment of roads under the rural development schemes. Preliminary findings have revealed that many roads are in dilapidated condition, far below acceptable standards.

Taking cognizance of the situation, the Committee has ordered immediate repair and reconstruction of the damaged roads, emphasizing adherence to high technical standards and strict quality control in future projects. District Collectors have been instructed to verify the status of all unconnected villages and provide updated data for priority approvals.

According to the latest Committee data, in Koraput district, out of 547 unconnected settlements,33 have been approved,50 are under verification,while others remain pending or have been deemed ineligible.In Rayagada district, out of 799 unconnected settlements,385 have been approved,94 are under verification,148 are under investigation, and 266 have been marked ineligible.

However, MP Ulaka noted that many of the so-called ‘ineligible’ villages are actually remote, hilly tribal habitations, which do not fit the existing criteria but deserve inclusion due to their geographical isolation and developmental needs.

 “Ignoring such villages because of technical definitions is unfair to the tribal population. Development must reach every doorstep — no village should remain backward anymore,” said MP Saptagiri Ulaka, who also serves as a member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee.

The Committee has formally requested the Union Ministry of Rural Development to expedite approvals for pending and eligible villages under the Rural Roads Scheme (Phase IV).

Ulaka further expressed concern over the slow approval process by the Centre and delays in DPR (Detailed Project Report) preparation by the State Government, which together have hindered connectivity progress in the region.

“The disconnect between the policy approach of the BJP-led government and the real needs of the tribal people is widening. Timely coordination between the Centre and the State is crucial to ensure inclusive growth,” Ulaka added.

The Committee, during its study tour to Puri (2025–26), also emphasized the need to align rural road policies with the ground realities of tribal and hilly regions, and called for flexibility in eligibility criteria to ensure that no settlement is left behind.

The new directive is expected to accelerate the process of rural road construction and bridge the long-standing development gap in Koraput, Rayagada, and surrounding tribal areas of South Odisha.