Ankola
Several government schemes in Achave Gram Panchayat remain stalled due to pending approvals from the Forest Department, causing frustration among residents.
The panchayat, which covers Kuntagani, Achave, and Manigadde, has 16 hamlets with over 3,000 people. The Shirsi-Vaddi-Gokarna state highway runs through this forested region, but infrastructure challenges persist.
A local panchayat member highlighted delays in the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) project, stating, “Drinking water supply work has stopped because of forest department issues. We are unable to provide facilities to over 50 encroacher homes.”
Residents also raised concerns about a 36-year-old bridge near Kuntagani, which submerges during monsoons, posing risks for students who cross it daily. In addition, roads leading to Kuntagani are in poor condition, making daily travel difficult.
Network connectivity issues are forcing professionals, including software engineers, to leave the area for better opportunities. Techie Deepesh shared that many are relocating due to the inability to work remotely.
Education accessibility is another pressing issue. Social activist Ramanand Naik Boralli pointed out that students must travel 50 kilometers to Ankola, Shirsi, or Kumta for higher studies, with no proper bus service available.
Meanwhile, Achave Gram Panchayat PDO Vithal Bandekar confirmed that the deteriorating Kuntagani bridge had already been recommended for repairs in an official letter to the government. However, residents continue to demand urgent action to address these long-standing infrastructure problems.
