MLA fund to finance repair of road used by farmers

Teliamura, Sept 23: A long-standing demand of farmers in Baralunga under the Madhya Krishnapur Gram Panchayat in Teliamura sub-division is set to be addressed, with funds from the MLA’s Local Area Development Fund being allocated for the repair of a badly damaged road connecting agricultural fields with nearby markets.

The initiative has been taken by Krishnapur MLA and Minister Bikash Debbarma, following persistent demands from farmers for improved road connectivity to facilitate the transportation and marketing of their produce.

A large number of farmers in the Baralunga area have been engaged in cultivation for years and depend on the road to transport paddy, vegetables and other agricultural produce to markets. 

However, the road had deteriorated considerably due to the lack of maintenance, making transportation difficult and often causing delays in taking farm produce to market.

According to local residents, farmers had been demanding better connectivity in the area for a long time. Although agricultural activities have gradually increased in Baralunga, poor road conditions remained a major obstacle to the effective marketing of farm produce.

With the road repair now being taken up using funds from the MLA’s fund, farmers have expressed hope that the improvement will ease transportation difficulties and help them get their produce to New Market and other nearby markets more efficiently.

Measures have also been taken to facilitate evening sales at New Market. A high-mast light has been installed in the market area, providing illumination after sunset. Local residents said the facility has benefited both farmers and traders, particularly during periods when electricity supply remains problematic.

The minister recently visited the New Market area in the evening to inspect the functioning of the high-mast lighting system. He also interacted with local farmers and residents to understand how the facility was benefiting them.

The Baralunga area has also witnessed significant challenges in the past. Local residents recalled that militant attacks in 2003 resulted in loss of lives in Baralunga and adjoining areas, while several families were forced to leave their homes amid the prevailing atmosphere of fear. With the gradual restoration of normalcy, people began returning to the area and farmers resumed cultivation on their lands.

At present, increasing agricultural production has created greater demand for reliable road connectivity. Once the repair work is completed, farmers are expected to be able to transport their produce more easily to New Market and other surrounding markets.

Local residents believe the improved road connectivity could reduce transportation-related difficulties for farmers, facilitate better marketing of agricultural produce and contribute positively to the rural economy of the area.

Minister Bikash Debbarma was accompanied during the visit by Khowai Zilla Parishad member Ranjit Sarkar and Mandal vice-president Gopal Das.