Palampur: Schoolkids cross makeshift wooden bridge, risk lives

Ravinder Sood

Palampur, August 4

Schoolchildren and villagers of Hangloh and Bagroa villages risk their lives every day while crossing the makeshift wooden bridge over the Lingti rivulet, 10 km from Palampur.

The schoolchildren and others are exposed to risk as they have to cross the bamboo bridge, constructed by villagers in place of the concrete bridge that was washed away a few years ago.

The wooden bridge can give way or be washed away any time. Some students take the bigger risk of wading through the rivulet.

Villagers find it difficult to cross the bridge carrying ill persons to reach the hospital in case of an emergency. The bridge with creaking planks makes it a horrifying journey. It is the lifeline for those who use it regularly to go to Palampur, Gopalpur, and Nagri to buy essential commodities. Three years ago, two students were washed away in the lower area of Palampur while crossing a wooden bridge.

Villagers lament that they had apprised everyone from local panchayat officials to the MLA and the Chief Minister of their problems but no action has been taken so far. They are now thinking of not sending their children to school to save them from lurking danger.

Mangla Chaudhary, Zila Parishad member, says, “We are concerned about the well-being of our children. Public representatives have ignored our problems despite repeated reminders. She visited Zila Parishad office yesterday and hoped that funds would be released soon for the construction of a pucca bridge”.

Piar Chand, panchayat pradhan, said despite repeated requests, the state government did release funds for the construction of a concrete bridge and if that was not possible, the wooden bridge should be repaired to ensure a safer passage.

Pucca bridge washed away a few years ago

The lives of schoolchildren are full of risk as they have to cross the bamboo bridge, constructed by villagers in place of a concrete bridge that was washed away a few years ago