Malkangiri, Aug 18: The Malkangiri airstrip, inaugurated in haste ahead of the last general elections, has collapsed under heavy rainfall, raising serious questions about the quality of construction and alleged corruption under the previous government.

The airstrip’s perimeter wall was washed away, exposing the fragile foundation and poor materials used in its construction. Locals and experts have pointed to substandard engineering and excessive PC (percentage commission) dealings as the root causes of the failure.

The project, which was touted as a major infrastructural leap for the remote district, had faced allegations of irregularities from the beginning. Despite concerns raised by then opposition leaders and civil society groups, the airstrip was hurriedly inaugurated by the former administration led by BJD, allegedly to gain political mileage ahead of the elections.

Now, with the structure failing to withstand seasonal rains, the incident has reignited public outrage and demands for accountability. Activists are calling for an independent probe into the tender process, contractor selection, and fund utilization.

The collapse not only highlights the consequences of rushed development but also underscores the need for transparency and quality control in public infrastructure projects.

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