Chachari Bridge Submerged in Kari Kosi River, Making Boats the Only Lifeline; Serious Questions Raised on Administration and Representatives' Silence Over Villagers' Wretched Plight
A very painful and distressing picture has emerged from Camp Panchayat under the Rupauli block of Bihar's Purnia district, serving as a scathing indictment of our country's claims of rural development and lax administrative machinery. To this day, the construction of a permanent bridge could not be executed over the Kari Kosi River in Camp Panchayat of the Rupauli block, due to which local residents, schoolchildren, farmers, and senior citizens are facing horrific daily tortures in their everyday lives. Due to recent rains and a rise in the river's water level, the Chachari bridge (temporary bamboo-pole bridge) built through mutual cooperation among villagers has submerged, completely cutting off connectivity to this area. Now, compelled by circumstances, villagers are forced to risk their lives and travel across the river with the help of boats.
What Is the Whole Matter? Why Are the Villagers of Camp Panchayat Suffering?
According to detailed accounts, the Kari Kosi River flows through the middle of various villages in Camp Panchayat of the Rupauli block. To reach their fields, markets, schools, and hospitals on the other side of the river, local villagers have no smooth means of transportation. In previous years, when no concrete bridge was built by the government or administration, the villagers constructed a 'Chachari bridge' over the river using their hard-earned money and voluntary labor (shramdaan).
However, with the onset of the monsoon and rising water in the river, that Chachari bridge also got submerged and washed away completely. Following the sinking of the bridge, the only alternative left for transportation before the villagers is a boat. This situation has once again exposed the apathy of local public representatives and the district administration, generating massive outrage among the general public.
Villagers' Daily Life Turned Into a Struggle: Boats Are the Only Lifeline
In the absence of a permanent bridge over the Kari Kosi River, the lives of the people of Camp Panchayat have been severely disrupted. The gravity of the situation can be understood in the following forms:
Blow to Students' Education: The studies of students going to schools and colleges from this side of the river to the other are being severely affected. Parents remain terrified of sending their children to school by boat, because even a slight carelessness can cause a major accident.
Crisis of Healthcare Services: If a person falls seriously ill during the night or in an emergency situation, or if a pregnant woman needs to be taken to a hospital, crossing the river with the help of boats proves akin to inviting death. Ambulances fail to reach the village on time.
Troubles for Farmers and Traders: Most people of this panchayat are associated with agricultural work. Farmers have to bear heavy transportation costs and risks in taking their crops to the market for sale, which is breaking their economic backbone.
Demand for a Permanent Bridge Going On for Years, Nothing Received Except Assurances
Local residents state that they have submitted written and oral applications several times to regional public representatives, MLAs, MPs, and district administration officials for the construction of a concrete (RCC) bridge over the Kari Kosi River. During every election, grand promises are made by politicians that the bridge will be constructed on top priority after winning the election, but as soon as the election ends, no one remains to look after the public.
Expressing their grief, the villagers said that they are forced to risk their lives and cross the river every year during this season of floods and deluge. Is the government waiting for some major accident to happen, after which a bridge will be constructed here?
Strong Demands of the Public from Administrative Machinery and Government
Enraged villagers, youths, and intellectuals of Camp Panchayat have unanimously made the following strict and prompt demands from the district administration and the state government:
Immediate Alternative Arrangement: The operation of boats currently on the Kari Kosi River should be made safe and life jackets arranged so that no accidents occur.
Construction of a Concrete Bridge (RCC Bridge): Administrative approval should be granted for the immediate construction of a permanent high-level RCC bridge over the Kari Kosi River near Camp Panchayat.
Fixation of Accountability: Accountability should be fixed for those responsible for the lack of basic amenities (roads and bridges) in rural areas.
This irony of Camp Panchayat in Rupauli proves that until development schemes are implemented honestly at the ground level, the general public will continue to struggle similarly for basic needs.
