Nur Rehman Sarkar, an octogenarian and his relatives at Chit Sakati, a village located in South Berubari of Jalpaiguri district, need to visit the government hospital in Panchagarh district of Bangladesh in case any of them needs medical care.

Similarly, other residents of the village that is located at the India-Bangladesh border and is beyond the fences prefer to visit the markets at the adjoining localities of the neighbouring country to buy grocery and other items.

“For decades, we have been living here without infrastructure or basic facilities. As our village is located beyond the fences, we have to go through a number of formalities to enter the mainland. It takes time and hence, we prefer to go to the adjoining areas of Bangladesh for medical emergency and other errands,” said Nur.

The village is located 50km from Jalpaiguri town and spread over 153 bighas. Altogether, 26 families consisting of 165 people live at Chit Sakati. Of them, 81 are voters.

To reach the village, one has to reach the border outpost of the BSF in Jhapartala of South Berubari. Once the identity proof is established, the security personnel will open the gates and let the person enter the village.

On the way to the village, he/she has to cross the Kurum stream that lacks a permanent bridge.

“We have to trudge through knee-deep water to reach Chit Sakati. Occasionally, we ourselves make a temporary bridge, particularly during the rains. We fail to understand why the central and state governments do not take initiatives to build a permanent bridge and proper roads here,” said Bablu Sarkar, a resident.

He pointed out that if someone fell ill, the same route — via the stream and the gate — had to be taken to shift him to hospital in the adjoining Haldibari block or in Jalpaiguri.

Even to cast their votes — elections will be held in Jalpaiguri on April 17, the villagers have to take the same route to reach a primary school that is on the other side of the fence.

“It takes time and also, it is tough to carry a critical patient and cross the stream. That is why in such cases, we go to Bangladeshi hamlets like Mushipara, Bhatiapara and Nekipara for medical help. It seems we live in Bangladesh and India is a foreign land. The governments should take initiatives to address our issues,” added Bablu.

He has said while the super-specialty hospital of Jalpaiguri is 50km away, the district hospital of Panchagarh district in Bangladesh is just 14km away.

Annakanta Das, a Trinamul member of South Berubari panchayat, admitted the problems.

“Earlier, we had helped the villagers build a temporary bridge. The village needs better roads and anti-erosion work on the banks of the stream. Those needs will be met in due course. As far as the protocol for their movement is concerned, we do not have much to do,” he said.