Tensions flared in Hatigeda village, Bandhugaon block, Koraput district, when local villagers interrupted ongoing road building, citing shoddy work and probable irregularities in project execution. The under-construction road, which connects Karli to Hatigeda and spans roughly 7 kilometres, has become a source of anger for villagers, who believe the work quality is far below expectations.allegations of substandard construction
The people are concerned that, instead of appropriate road building, workers have just poured concrete over the existing kutcha road without adhering to the needed requirements. According to one nearby homeowner, "They said there would be a 2-inch concrete coating, but it isn't even an inch in several spots. This is a 7-kilometer road from Karli to Hatigeda, and the work is dismal. People are complaining because this is not the way a road should be constructed. They've recently poured concrete on a kutcha surface.
No one knows if the metal that should be 6 inches thick was followed. We have not seen a proposal for the project.The Junior Engineer has not provided a clear answer. Let him present the proposal, and we will review it before deciding what to do next."
Questions Over Accountability and Supervision
The residents have also expressed concern about the absence of competent oversight during the development phase. They argue that government officials neglected to inspect the site and ensure that the work met the required requirements. One villager commented, "This is the lowest grade of work. The government has provided funding for this project, but it is also the government's responsibility to oversee how the work is being completed. There should be a thorough inspection. When we queried the contractor, Kameshwar Ratnal, he stated he was simply following orders from above.

Lack of Transparency and Information
Adding to the dissatisfaction, residents complained about the lack of a project board, which is generally posted at building sites to convey critical facts such as cost, specs, and dates. Sarpanch of the village remarked, "There is no board on the site, so we don't even know the project's specifications. We have no idea what work is being done. They just arrived and started pouring concrete. When we queried the Junior Engineer, he stated it will be done according to procedure, although he has never been to the site. Neither the BDO nor the JE have come here."

Villagers threaten to intensify their protest
With mounting resentment and unhappiness over the lack of transparency and poor construction quality, villagers have threatened to escalate their protest if the job is not completed correctly and publicly. They have stated unequivocally that if the concerns are not resolved quickly, they will escalate the situation.
The scenario has once again sparked worries about the quality of rural infrastructure projects, with people charging incompetence, a lack of responsibility, and even hints of corruption in the work's execution. As the protest continues, all eyes are on the government and its staff to guarantee that the job is done properly and transparently.