Nitu Chakhia

Nitu’s primary area of interest is working with slum communities to help deal with the problems they face regarding electricity, roads, water and drainage. She feels that the political leaders claim that they have done work in these communities but the reality is different. She has found a new tool in video which can help her document issues that have been neglected for years by the other media.

Close to the capital of Odisha is ward ward no.1 of Shikharchandi which is administered by the Bhubhaneshwar Municipality Corporation. The road which connects the whole community to the rest of the state, primarily Bhubhanshwar, the capital of the state, is in a bad condition. The community is facing problems in their daily commute. The children, elderly, working populace and rest of the people who have to access other services or amenities are plagued by the poor condition of the road. This often results in delays and failure in performing their jobs. Mamta Reddy, one of the residents of the community who has to use the road for her daily commute points to the board which claims the inauguration of the road by the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and the Corporator. The board survives, but the road hasn’t. She clearly remembers that has been declared finished, never really started. She says: “In the previous budget INR 1973040 were sanctioned for the road. But I have seen no road. Nothing has been constructed”‘ Every election they voted with the hope that the promises being made would be fulfilled. But each time their hopes have turned into despair. Being the only road that is their contact with the outside world, it is of critical value to the community. Our community correspondent Nitu Chakhia produced the video on this issue which she showcased to the authorities of Bhubhaneshwar Municipality Corporation. After concentrated effort from the community and our CC, action was taken and the road was built. Stay tuned for the Impact video.