Archive · 27 Sep 2026
Delayed Chambal Bridge Leaves Villagers Risking Overloaded Steamer Crossings
A bridge over the Chambal River was destroyed by floods in 2019.
The bridge connects villages in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
Its reconstruction was announced at a ceremony in February, but the work has stopped.
More than 20 villages now use small wooden and tin boats called steamers.
The crossing takes about 15 minutes and costs about Rs 30 per person.
Some boats carry too many people and motorcycles.
This worries residents because similar overloaded boats have caused deaths before.
Officials said they closed the boats after learning about the overloading.
The Dhaturia Bridge over the Chambal River was washed away in 2019 floods.
Reconstruction began ceremonially in February but has now stalled, according to residents.
More than 20 villages on the Madhya Pradesh-Rajasthan border rely on makeshift steamers.
Wooden and tin steamers reportedly charge Rs 30 per passenger and carry people beyond capacity.
Officials said steamers were shut after receiving information about overloading and safety violations.
- Who
- Residents of more than 20 villages along the Madhya Pradesh-Rajasthan border, steamer operators, and local administrators.
- What
- Villagers are relying on reportedly overloaded makeshift steamers because reconstruction of the Dhaturia Bridge has stalled.
- When
- Since the bridge was washed away in the 2019 floods; a reconstruction ceremony was held in February, with no year specified.
- Where
- Across the Chambal River between Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, near Dhaturia, Deepakheda, Laduna, and Chaumhala.
- Why
- The bridge remains unavailable, forcing residents to use steamers or take a longer road route through Suwasra, Sitamau, and Mandsaur.
Residents’ concerns
Administration’s response
Safety and access
Residents’ concerns
Residents say the stalled bridge causes inconvenience, additional travel costs, and dangerous reliance on overloaded steamers carrying passengers and two-wheelers.
Administration’s response
Deputy tehsildar Pankaj Gangwal said operators had been strictly instructed against negligence and that the administration shut the steamers after receiving reports of overloading.
Bridge reconstruction
Residents’ concerns
Residents say the reconstruction announced at a February ceremony has stalled, leaving the bridge unavailable.
Administration’s response
The administration response cited in the report addresses steamer safety but does not provide a new timeline for completing the bridge.
- Bridge
- Dhaturia Bridge over the Chambal River
- Damage
- Washed away in the 2019 floods
- Affected communities
- More than 20 villages along the Madhya Pradesh-Rajasthan border
- Crossing method
- Wooden and tin steamers
- Reported fare
- Rs 30 per person
- Crossing time
- About 15 minutes
- Administrative response
- Steamers were shut after information about overloading was received