Archive · 13 Nov 2025
Kalahi Villagers Await Permanent Bridge After Seven Years
People living in some villages have to cross a river to get to school and other places.
They built a small bridge out of bamboo that the river washes away every year when it rains a lot.
They have to rebuild it again and again.
They asked a leader a long time ago to build a strong bridge, and he promised he would.
But it's been many years, and no new bridge has been built.
The villagers are still waiting and are unhappy because they have to keep rebuilding the old bridge and worry about crossing it safely.
Villagers in Dakuapara, South Kamrup, are still using a temporary bamboo bridge over the Kalahi river seven years after promises of a permanent structure.
The temporary bridge, rebuilt annually after the monsoon, is crucial for connecting several tribal-dominated villages and serves hundreds of students.
Residents expressed deep resentment, recalling a memorandum submitted in 2018 to the then PWD Minister, who is now the Chief Minister, with assurances of fulfillment.
Despite the assurances, no visible action has been taken, leading villagers to allege the promises were a 'gimmick'.
The community has renewed its appeal to the government for a permanent bridge to end the yearly hardship and neglect.
- Who
- Residents of Dakuapara and surrounding villages in South Kamrup
- What
- Continue to rely on a temporary bamboo bridge over the Kalahi river due to the absence of a permanent structure.
- When
- Seven years after assurances were given, with the temporary bridge rebuilt annually after the monsoon.
- Where
- Kalahi river, connecting several tribal-dominated villages in southern Chhaygaon.
- Why
- The State government has not constructed a permanent bridge despite previous assurances.
- Location
- Dakuapara, Gobardhan Council, Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council (RHAC), South Kamrup
- River
- Kalahi River
- Temporary Bridge Length
- 300 meters
- Materials for Temporary Bridge
- Nearly 200 bamboo poles and 100 areca nut trees
- Villages Connected
- Dakuapara, Bananigaon, Andheri, Jugibari, Balijuri, Baklipara, Phalaghat, Kahua, and Ratanpur
- Memorandum Submitted
- July 23, 2018, to the then PWD Minister