Himachal Pradesh / Shimla : People crossing the damaged Kanvati bridge risking their lives
The footbridge built at Kanwati on Naltri Khad of Kasumpti constituency is lying in a damaged condition for the past several years. People keep their lives on their palms, hold the angle and cross the ravine during the rainy days. Due to the strong current of this ravine, any accident can happen at any time. The wooden planks on the bridge have been washed away in the strong current of the ravine and now only the angles of the bridge are left which have become crooked.
Please tell that this bridge connects remote Peeran Panchayat of Mashobra Block to Satog Panchayat of Theog. The people of this area have a lot of kinship among themselves. Due to which the people of the area keep coming and going. The Kanvati bridge was constructed about 15 years ago as a courtesy to rural development. During the rainy season when Khadad gets flooded, the only option for the people of the area is to cross. Otherwise people have to travel about 15 kms via Via Jaghed.
Whereas no government transport system is available to go to Jagher of Sirmaur on the border. The irony is that for the past many years, no government has noticed the pathetic condition of this bridge. Told that many times requests have been made to the elected representatives of the Kasumpti assembly constituency and the local panchayat to get this footbridge repaired, but no hearing is being held at any level.
State Kisan Sabha President Dr. Kuldeep Tanwar said that after seven decades of independence, the situation in Kasumpti assembly constituency is being seen which is unfortunate. He has demanded from the government that in view of the safety of the people, this bridge should be removed immediately or else it should be repaired. They say that the Congress has been represented in this region for the last 20 years. But till date Kanvati bridge has not been built.
When I wanted to talk to Block Development Officer Mashobra Dr Ankit Kotia about this. His phone was switched off all day. Whereas JE Hemant of this office told that he was not aware of this and it would be inspected on the spot.
