Recently, I was assigned a professional job which made me travel to not less than four districts of Orissa. I visited Jharsuguda, Bolangir, Boudh, Sonepur and Phulbani district.

The status of development in these areas were really shocking. Even in Bolangir, I observed that buying capacity of people has not increased much. There has been some development in Boudh and SOnepur by way of construction of Govt. quarters. Roads has been improved. The bridge connecting boudh with Sambalpur has made a difference in the life of the people.

What was shocking is the status of Phulbani. Even in the district headquarter, you can not get a decent place for sit and dine. The basic infrastructure is simply not available. There are no adequate lighting in the bus stand. The reasons is not served by Railways. Some times it is difficult to get even a bottle of genuine mineral water.

Although, Phulbani has been in news for many years, the status of development of a head quarter which is a very old town was an eye opening and equally shocking.

God give governement some thought for development of the area.