Madhya Pradesh elections: Villagers of 'Sansad Adarsh Gram' to boycott poll for road

INDORE: Residents of a village in Barod tehsil of Agar-Malwa have threatened to boycott state assembly election since their demand for construction of a one-and-a-half-kilometre road has not been met even after several appeals.
The villagers of Sudwas, around 20 kilometres from district headquarters, also installed posters stating a ban on all political parties and leaders entering the village along with the slogan ‘No road, No vote.’
The village was adopted under Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY) by the then Member of Parliament Manohar Utwal.But then also the road was not built. There are around 5000 residents, including 2500 voters in Sudwas village under schedule caste reserved Agar constituency of Agar-Malwa district.
A resident Virendra Singh told TOI, “A muddy road connects the village to Kanodia-Barod two lane main road. It is nothing but filth and remains damp throughout the year. The trouble increases during rains.”
Singh said, “Villagers had requested for construction of the road on several occasions to district administration, political parties, and Congress MLA. During Vikas Yatra organised by Bharatiya Janata Party, the issue was raised, and political leaders had then promised to get it done before rains. But the situation did not improve. Then, the issue was raised during Jan Ashirwad Yatra. But we only got assurance from them”.
Another resident, Prem Singh, 28, told TOI, “Condition of the road is deplorable. It causes trouble for villagers. After multiple efforts, we have now decided to boycott the election as what else we can do.”
This village road led to government schools, hospital, veterinary hospital, and marketplace. The construction for a maternity government hospital beside this road is underway. Despite its importance, the road was never constructed, complained villagers.
SDM Agar-Malwa Satyendra Berwa told TOI, “District administration has sent a proposal to higher authorities for construction of the road.”