Sakyong-Pentong, Dzongu, North Sikkim – Residents of the serene Sakyong-Pentong village are facing a recurring ordeal with every downpour, as their main road transforms into a waterlogged stretch due to the absence of a functional drainage system. This seemingly minor infrastructural deficiency is significantly disrupting the daily lives of the villagers, impeding movement and fostering concerns regarding sanitation and safety.
Ren Pemtok Lepcha, the determined Panchayat President of Lingzya Thulung Sakyong Pentong GPU, has become the voice of the frustrated community. He emphasized the simplicity of their demand, stating, “We are simple Lepcha people. We are innocent. But we are suffering. The roads are filled with water, and there is no drain. We are saying this again and again; we need to build a drain.”
Echoing the sentiments of many in the village, residents lament the stagnant rainwater that renders the road treacherous and impassable for vehicles. This situation frequently prevents villagers from accessing essential services like the market and hinders children from attending school. The persistent waterlogging has also reportedly caused damage to vehicles, forcing owners to incur repair costs. “We are not asking for anything fancy. We just need a proper drain,” a resident asserted.
The Panchayat reveals that repeated appeals have been made to the concerned department and higher officials within the Sikkim government. Initial assurances of understanding and resolution eventually led to disappointment when the small, crucial project was merged with larger, more complex undertakings. “They clubbed our small project with bigger works. Then they said the amount is too big and it should be handled with big contractors or Sardars. So now we don’t know where our small village drain has gone in this big package,” explained Ren Pemtok.
Further exacerbating the villagers’ frustration, the department reportedly cited a policy against undertaking projects for single, smaller villages, labeling it as “half cultured.” This rationale has left the community feeling unfairly disadvantaged, preventing them from obtaining such a basic necessity. “If you wait for a big tender, it might take years. Meanwhile, we are left with water and mud,” Ren Pemtok lamented.
Compounding the drainage issue is the dilapidated state of the road itself, which residents describe as lacking proper carpeting and consisting merely of mud, stones, and accumulated water. “There is no carpeting. There is no drain,” a resident pointed out.
In a plea for accountability, the Panchayat President raises a fundamental question, “Do we have to do everything on our own? Or will someone take responsibility?” This issue, villagers claim, is not a recent one, with repeated complaints yielding no tangible improvements. “I don’t even remember the last time this road was fixed properly,” Ren Pemtok concluded, highlighting the prolonged neglect faced by the residents of Sakyong-Pentong.
Read More: Assam Eyes New Japanese Language Centre to Boost Employment in Japan