3 weeks ago
Two years after collapse, Malkangiri tribal villages still lack bridge
In June 2024, heavy rains washed away a bridge in a place called Chitrakonda.
The bridge was very important to the people who live nearby.
It helped them walk to school, see a doctor, buy food, and visit government offices.
Now, more than two years later, the bridge has still not been rebuilt.
People have to walk through muddy farmland and small paths to cross the water.
This can be dangerous for children and older people.
The villagers say they told the leaders about the problem many times.
The leaders say they have made a plan for a new bridge and are waiting for money to build it.
Everyone hopes the new bridge will be built soon so people can travel safely.
A PMGSY bridge on the Andarapalli-Ramaguda road in Chitrakonda block was washed away by heavy rains on June 3, 2024.
More than two years later, no permanent reconstruction has been done despite the bridge costing several lakhs of rupees.
Residents of Ramaguda, Ghusumpadar and neighbouring villages cross the stream through agricultural land and temporary pathways to reach schools, healthcare, markets and government offices.
Villagers allege the contractor overlaid bitumen on the old bridge instead of reconstructing it, making it vulnerable to collapse.
Junior Engineer Rajendra Mahankud said a detailed estimate for a new bridge has been submitted to higher authorities and a proposal forwarded under the Setu Yojana, pending financial approval.
- Who
- Residents of Ramaguda, Ghusumpadar and neighbouring tribal villages in Chitrakonda block, Malkangiri district, along with Junior Engineer Rajendra Mahankud of the Rural Development department.
- What
- A vital rural bridge that collapsed on June 3, 2024 remains unreconstructed, forcing villagers to make hazardous stream crossings.
- Where
- The Andarapalli-Ramaguda road in Chitrakonda block, Malkangiri district.
- When
- The bridge was washed away on June 3, 2024; the article reports the situation more than two years later.
- Why
- The bridge collapsed due to heavy rains, and rebuilding has been delayed because construction awaits financial approval of an estimate submitted under the Setu Yojana; villagers also allege faulty construction work.
Affected villagers
Rural Development department
Reconstruction delay
Affected villagers
Villagers say they repeatedly approached the district administration, block authorities and the Rural Development department over two years and submitted written representations, but no concrete action was taken.
Rural Development department
Junior Engineer Rajendra Mahankud says a detailed estimate for a new bridge has been prepared and submitted to higher authorities, and construction will begin once financial approval is received.
Cause of collapse
Affected villagers
Villagers allege the contractor merely overlaid bitumen on the old bridge instead of rebuilding it during 2020-2021 road construction, making it vulnerable to collapse in heavy rains.
Rural Development department
The department acknowledges the bridge collapsed and is planning a new bridge construction project rather than a repair, according to its submitted estimate and Setu Yojana proposal.
Key facts
- Bridge
- PMGSY bridge on Andarapalli-Ramaguda road
- Location
- Chitrakonda block, Malkangiri district
- Date of collapse
- June 3, 2024
- Affected villages
- Ramaguda, Ghusumpadar and neighbouring villages
- Current status
- No permanent reconstruction more than two years after collapse
- Villagers' allegation
- Contractor overlaid bitumen on the old bridge instead of reconstructing it during 2020-2021 roadwork
- Proposed remedy
- New bridge estimate submitted; proposal under Setu Yojana awaiting financial approval
- Official contact
- Rajendra Mahankud, Junior Engineer, Rural Development department
Quotes
Rajendra Mahankud
Junior Engineer of the Rural Development department
“"A detailed estimate for constructing a new bridge has already been prepared and submitted to higher authorities. A proposal has also been forwarded under the Setu Yojana, and construction will begin once financial approval is received."”
thehansindia.com
Sources
Related news
Villagers Build Makeshift Bridges After Government Action Stalls
Malkangiri Villages Still Struggle for Safe Last-Mile Connectivity
Missing Bridges Threaten Lives in Adilabad Interior Villages
Chhatarpur Villagers Risk Lives Crossing River Without Bridge
Andhra Pradesh Tribal Villages Demand Roads, Schools in Anakapalle
Bailey Bridge Washed Away in Uttarakhand Flash Flood, Driver Missing
Odisha Youth Dies by Suicide After Village Meeting Fine
Odisha Police Unearth Maoist Arms Dump in Malkangiri District
Odisha Intensifies Crackdown on Illegal Ganja Cultivation on Government Land
