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Ranjit Thakur
Doda, March 29
Hundreds of villagers living in the remote Dessa area of mountainous Doda district risk their lives daily by crossing the gushing Bhramdhar Nullah in the absence of a footbridge.
The construction of the new footbridge over the nullah has been delayed and locals have no option but to walk over the wooden planks placed on it.
Residents of six panchayats, especially pregnant women, schoolchildren and old and ailing, are the worst hit. The Dessa area is just 30 km from the district headquarters.
The only footbridge over the nullah, which connected the Malan, Sheinkly, Gramdi, Bhatta, Chakka, Gai, Zartund and Laloor areas with Doda city, collapsed two years ago during torrential rains. Since then, the work on the iron footbridge has been going on at a snail’s pace, becoming a cause for concern for the villagers.
“We often skip school because there is no footbridge. Sometimes, we are forced to cross the swallowing nullah with bags on our head. It becomes impossible for us to cross the nullah when the water level in it is high. We want a proper bridge on it as soon as possible so that we don’t have to suffer,” said Priya, a student of Class XI.
“We are more concerned about the safety of our children who use the wooden planks to cross the nullah daily while on their way to school, located on the other side of the nullah. We want speedy construction of the new bridge so that children can cross the nullah without fear,” said Somi Raj, a parent.
“The work on the footbridge is in progress but has been going on at a snail’s pace. We want the government to take the matter seriously as thousands of people have been suffering due to the absence of a footbridge,” he added.
Block Development Officer, Bhagwah, Muddasir Iqbal said: “We are aware of the problems being faced by the people in the absence of a bridge. Most of the work on the new bridge has been completed. The new iron footbridge will come up at an estimated cost of Rs 26 lakh by April-end.”
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