BERHAMPUR: The state govt has ruled out a proposed merger of several villages with Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BeMC). On Tuesday, housing and urban development minister Krushna Chandra Mohapatra informed the assembly while responding to a query from Berhampur MLA K Anil Kumar.
The govt decision comes after reviewing objections and suggestions from Lochapada, Sana Kushasthali, Bramhanapalli and Golabandh villages, following a high court directive issued on Oct 28, 2022.
Since BeMC’s formation in 2008, when Berhampur Municipality was upgraded to a corporation, residents of neighbouring villages have been pushing for integration into the urban local body. The Sahara Tali Anchal Milita Kriya Anusthan Committee, spearheading the merger movement, had demanded the inclusion of 62 villages from 18 gram panchayats into BeMC.
“The matter is pending in court. We hope we will get justice,” said Sudesh Patra, a committee official.
Residents are seeking the merger to access better civic facilities and infrastructure development, as many villages currently lack basic amenities like street lights, proper roads, drainage system and drinking water facilities.
Sources indicated that the panchayats have struggled to address these civic issues due to limited resources.
