Remote villages without basic amenities, villagers walk 3 km to make phone calls

NT Correspondent

Chikkamagaluru: In an era of advancing national development and Digital India’s boast of 4G and 5G connectivity, there remain numerous villages grappling with the lack of even basic 2G network.

Among them is Bilagal village in Kalasa taluk, where approximately 35 to 40 tribal families reside.

Nestled in a region blessed with ample rainfall, Bilagal village paints a contrasting picture with its absence of essential amenities.

In case of an emergency, villagers are compelled to trek 3 kilometers to access mobile network coverage. Even then, securing a signal on a mobile device is a challenge.

Furthermore, electricity supply is a rare occurrence, with intervals as long as a fortnight. The inconvenience continues as locals are required to journey 40 kilometers for provisions like rice and agricultural necessities.

Situated at the base of Kudremukh, a national park in Kalasa taluk, the village endures a stark lack of facilities.

While the government allocated plots ranging from one to two acres to the inhabitants, many are still awaiting official title deeds. The process for obtaining these deeds has been stalled, leaving villagers in a state of uncertainty.

This year, with a decrease in rainfall, water scarcity looms over the village. The shortage not only affects crop cultivation but also the availability of drinking water.

The impending challenge of providing meals for the year adds to the locals’ concerns. Last year, the government undertook the construction of a bridge along the village road.

However, only half of the bridge has been completed, with the other half remaining incomplete and cordoned off.

As India advances technologically, the plight of villages like Bilagal serves as a poignant reminder of the continued disparities that persist across the country.