Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Chhatarpur Villagers Risk Lives Crossing River Without Bridge
People in Harpai Purwa village do not have a bridge to Maharajpur.
They must cross the Kumhed River to reach schools, doctors and other important services.
During the rainy season, the river becomes swollen and dangerous.
Parents sometimes carry children across the water.
Older people, sick people and pregnant women also have to use this risky route.
Villagers say this problem happens every year.
They say political leaders promise a bridge during elections but do not act afterward.
The residents now want the administration to build a permanent bridge.
Residents of Harpai Purwa in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhatarpur district cross the swollen Kumhed River to reach Maharajpur.
The village, home to about 250–300 people, depends on Maharajpur for education, healthcare and other essential services.
Schoolchildren, elderly people, patients and pregnant women face particular danger when the river rises.
Photographs show parents carrying children and helping them walk through the flowing water.
Villagers say leaders repeatedly promise a bridge during elections and are urging authorities to build one permanently.
- Who
- Residents of Harpai Purwa village, including children, elderly people, patients and pregnant women.
- What
- Villagers are being forced to cross the swollen Kumhed River because there is no bridge connecting them with Maharajpur.
- When
- The danger increases whenever the river rises, especially during the rainy season; residents say the problem recurs every year.
- Where
- Harpai Purwa in Purwa village, Ward 15 of the Maharajpur municipal area, Chhatarpur district, Madhya Pradesh.
- Why
- The village lacks essential services and residents depend on Maharajpur for education, healthcare and other needs.
Villagers’ concerns
Leaders’ reported position
Bridge construction
Villagers’ concerns
Residents say a permanent bridge is urgently needed because they must cross the river for school, healthcare and other essential services.
Leaders’ reported position
Villagers allege that political leaders promise to construct a bridge during elections but forget the issue afterward; no response from the leaders is provided.
Promises versus action
Villagers’ concerns
Residents say they no longer want assurances and are asking the administration and elected representatives for concrete action.
Leaders’ reported position
According to the villagers, repeated election-time promises have not yet resulted in a bridge.
- Village population
- Approximately 250–300 people
- River
- Kumhed River
- Nearest service area
- Maharajpur
- Administrative location
- Ward 15 of the Maharajpur municipal area
- Main risk
- Crossing flowing, swollen water without a bridge
- Most affected
- Schoolchildren, elderly people, patients and pregnant women
- Villagers’ demand
- A permanent bridge over the Kumhed River