Sambalpur: Anganwadi Centers in Sambalpur Face Infrastructure Crisis; 265 Centers Lack Permanent Buildings, Operations Shift to Rented and Temporary Spaces
Sambalpur: Anganwadi centers play a crucial role in providing preschool education and nutritious food to children. However, many of these centers in Sambalpur district are operating under challenging conditions. Among the 1,886 Anganwadi centers in the district, 265 lack their own buildings, forcing them to operate from rented spaces, school premises, or community centers.
Current State of Anganwadi Centers
Currently, 20 Anganwadi centers in Sambalpur operate from rented spaces, 43 function within school premises, and 202 are housed in community or club centers due to the lack of dedicated buildings. Additionally, several existing structures are in poor condition, with maintenance delayed due to insufficient funds.
Efforts to Build New Centers
During the previous BJD government, Rs. 3.46 crores were sanctioned to construct 173 new Anganwadi centers in Sambalpur, with Rs. 2 lakh allocated per center. However, delays have prevented any of these buildings from becoming operational. While some constructions remain incomplete, others are finished but are yet to be handed over for use.
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Specific Block-Wise Insights
- Sambalpur City Region:
- Out of 224 centers, 165 do not have their own buildings.
- 19 centers operate in rented spaces, 11 in school premises, and 29 in community centers.
- Other Blocks:
- Bamra Block: Out of 211 centers, 160 have their own buildings. The remaining 51 function in community centers.
- Dhankauda Block: Out of 185 centers, 166 have dedicated buildings.
- Jujumura Block: 226 out of 242 centers have their own buildings.
- Similar issues persist across Kuchinda, Maneswar, Naktideul, Rairakhol, and Rengali blocks, with several centers lacking permanent structures.
Delays and Accountability
During elections, funds were sanctioned for new Anganwadi centers in various blocks, including 52 in Bamra, 8 each in Dhankauda and Jujumura, and 36 in Kuchinda. Although construction has started in some locations, progress has been slow. Despite departmental instructions to expedite work during review meetings, the completion timeline remains uncertain.
Questions Remain Unanswered
When asked about the status, Sambalpur District Social Welfare Officer Renubala Nanda stated that out of 1,886 centers, 1,625 have their own buildings, while construction for the remaining is ongoing. However, she admitted she did not have updated details on the progress. This raises concerns about transparency and accountability. If officials lack proper data, how can the public find answers? The delay in completing these buildings continues to hinder the development and welfare of children.
The lack of proper infrastructure in Anganwadi centers remains a pressing issue. Residents and intellectuals question when these new buildings will be completed and when children will finally benefit from better facilities. This delay calls for urgent attention and concrete action to improve the situation.
