Two remote villages set for ‘model’ makeover

NASHIK: Two remote villages picked by the local MPs will see a turnaround in the next year to set the ground for the development of ‘model’ villages in the district. The details of the development work in two villages selected under the ambitious Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana are being fine-tuned in consultation with the villagers and the MPs.
Under the scheme, all MPs have to develop one model village in their constituency by 2016 and two more by 2019.The ministry of rural development has formulated guidelines of the implementation of the scheme.
Villages with a population of 3000-5000 in plain areas and 1000-3000 in hilly, tribal and difficult areas have to be selected. The local gram panchayat would be the basic unit for development. Lok Sabha MPs have to choose a gram panchayat from their constituency.
Anjaneri village, located about 6km from the temple town of Trimbakeshwar, was selected by MP Hemant Godse under the national scheme. It is likely to get Rs 40 crore through various schemes for construction of tourist facilities, buying battery-operated vehicles and setting up a ropeway to the mountain top.
District officials said the villagers had demanded lift irrigation system, settling up of solar pumps and solar streetlights, e-office of the gram panchayat. However, the final plan would involve only the projects and work feasible under various schemes.
“The most important activity will be the creation of a tourism centre including rooms and facilities by tourism department on approach road from Nashik – Trimbak highway and construction of ropeway from Pahine village,” district planning officer Pradeep Potdar said.
The officer said it has been decided to carry out major infrastructural development in the village, which is under the forest control, in the lines of natural development only. “We will require permissions from forest department and the respective agencies to start the process. The district committee will give the administrative approval for the schemes by this weekend,” Potdar said.
The infrastructure development includes raising structures for tourism on the approach road from the Nashik – Trimbakeshwar highway. Tourist vehicles will be parked at foothills of the mountain and people will be driven up to the first stage by electric vehicles.
From there, tourists will have to climb the steps to the mountain top or take the ropeway proposed from Pahine village. In addition, tents will be erected along the lake on the top of the mountain for tourists.
The officer added that the villagers have demanded many other things including e-gram panchayat and solar powered streetlights, concretization of the roads, healthcare facilities including the repairs of anganwadi.
The villagers have listed more than 180 different large and small work after several rounds of meetings with the villagers. The district officials explained the scheme to the villagers and sought their advise on the work to be taken up.
“The development activities will cost more than Rs 40 crore. The aspect of Corporate Social Responsibility funding is being considered,” the officer added.
The villagers from Avankhed in Dindori taluka have stressed on the construction of an underpass on Nashik –Vani–Kalwan state highway and the boating club facility as part of tourism development in their village.
The village has been adopted by Dindori MP Harishchandra Chavan and the villagers during the meetings raised their demand for construction of health sub-centre, underpass for the safety of the villagers and state tourism run boating facility to bring in revenue to the village.
“The villagers actively participated in the number of meetings conducted by the officials and they have demanded for the sub-centre. The existing sub-centre of the village was scrapped and that is why they have stressed on the sub-centre. The new type plan of sub-centre will enable them get better facilities and will be constructed at cost of Rs 1 crore,” Potdar said.
The officer added that the other work demanded by the villagers was estimated to cost around Rs 10 crore.
The Kadwa river flows through the village surrounded by cliffs. The villagers have demanded that a weir type structure be created downstream so that the backwaters provide boating facility in the village. The village near the Ozharkhed Dam could be a good tourist destination if properly developed.
The villagers have also stressed for the solid waste management and biodegradable waste plants to ensure the village gets electricity. The population in the village is scattered across number of hamlets has also demanded electrification of every street through solar cells.
The villages have strongly demanded the rationalization of power transformers because the supply is often disrupted. “We have asked the state electricity distribution company to drawn up a plan to resolve the power issues,” the official said.