Jajpur: Risking their lives everyday, residents of 10 villages under Bari block of Jajpur district cross Brahmani river with the help of a bridge made out of bamboo.
While the villagers could use the boat services only for four months in a year, the bamboo bridge is the only option for them to cross the river for the rest of the year.
As school, hospital and bus stand are located on the other side of the river, residents of the villages are forced to cross the river. Moreover, mishaps have occurred several times.
The villagers allege that even after appealing the district administration to construct a permanent bridge, their requests have only fallen only on deaf ears.
“This has been going on for the past 18 years. Boat services were provided only for four months and we cross the river with the hanging bridge during on other days,” said Purna Chandra Pani, a resident of Kalakhanda.
Expressing similar views, Aranya Dalai, another Kalakhanda resident said, “We have to cross the river anyway, therefore we demand construction of a permanent bridge.”
Meanwhile, Jajpur Collector, Ranjan Kumar Das, said the concerned department has been directed to carry out construction of the bridge.
“The Water Resources department has been directed to look into the demand for a permanent bridge and the work has begun. We expect it to be completed soon,” said Das.