MCL CSR

Cyclone storm ‘Titli’ has caused massive destruction in Gajapati district of Odisha. The storm and subsequent rains have snapped road connectivity in predominantly tribal habitation. Rural roads have been severely damaged due to heavy inundation and landslides.Responding to the call of the State Govt, MCL, as a leading corporate house has decided to demonstrate its Social responsibility. MCL has sent an eight-member team of officers to Parlakhemundi, the district headquarters of Gajapati district on 18th Oct 2018. After meeting the District Collector and other State officials, they decided to undertake road restoration work from Koinpur to Burkhat pass (7.5 km) in Rayagada block. MCL officials immediately came into action. They were helped in their endeavour by Rural works department Gajapati district in finding logistic support. The restoration work has started on 19th Oct and till 21st Oct, around 3 km stretch has been cleared. MCL has pressed two excavators and tippers/ tractor trolleys into service. Additional equipments will be inducted as per requirement.This CSR initiative of MCL is a part of the 12.5 km long rural road restoration work from Koinpur to the border to adjoining Ganjam district. This will pave the way for connectivity upto Berhampur town. Burkhat pass is the base of the famous religious and tourist spot Mahendragiri situated at mountain peak. It is to mention here that this area has witnessed severest damage due to hill locked terrain. The location is 47 km from district headquarter. Till now only tribal villagers coming down the hills were giving firsthand account of the road condition. None from the mainland/planes has closely assessed the road damage. It was MCL, who had made first foot prints all along the original route of road and reached village Marwa (near Burkhat pass) post-devastation. Two of the team members have traversed the entire stretch from zero mile (Koinpur) to Marwa near the last mile (Burkhat pass). It is an uphill road with serpentine part in the last leg of 2 km. There are hillocks on both sides and a rivulet originating from hills, flows down by the side of the road. On the fateful day, gushing water overflew into the rivulet and the hill tributaries caused flash floods. The rivulet changed its course at many places and in the process, engulfed parts of the road. The team witnessed places where road was literally non-existent, and boulders have positioned themselves in place of road. In the serpentine part, there were landslides with muck having flown down from hillock. Recounting the ordeal, Sri Santosh Kumar Bhuian of village Badmasingh, Koinpur GP told the team that it was a nonstop 30 hour ‘Baattiya’ (heavy wind and rain) that has caused havoc in the region leaving the habitation residing in hills in great discomfort and pain. He expressed gratitude towards MCL for the noble cause saying that if the road connectivity is established at an early date, it will help surrounding villagers in coming back to their normalcy.
Another group of villagers said that they are facing great difficulties in commuting to the nearest Haat place or Health Centre. It is refreshing to see that road restoration work has commenced with the intiative of State administration and MCL. Children will find it easy to go to school when schools reopen on 26th Oct. There is acute shortage of grocery and kerosene. There is no electricity. Road connectivity is a must for all these things to get streamlined.B. Sairam, General Manager (CSR) who is stationed at Parlakhemundi, has reported that MCL team is tirelessly working on the operations. He went on to express his thanks to the district administration and particularly the authorities of Rural Works Deptt for the immense support rendered by them to MCL.  He informed that ever since commencement of the work, 3 km has been restored and made motorable. Remaining 4.5 km hill road is the highly devastated part. He is hopeful that inspite of the odds like unknown territory and challenge to work beyond core competency, MCL will be able to complete the work in a week’s time.