The residents of Vijaypur village in the Gaulapar area of Haldwani Tehsil have been suffering from protracted apathy of the government for years now. They are forced to risk their lives and cross the Sukhinadi river which swells up during the monsoon because their long standing demand for construction of a bridge has been ignored by the authorities.
On Saturday, following the demise of an aged villager, his funeral procession was delayed as the people had to wait for more than an hour for the flow in the river to abate a bit before they crossed it on foot with the body for cremation on the other side of the river.
In the Gaulapar area of Haldwani, the residents of Vijaypur village state that they have no other option but to trudge across the river to go to the city. During the rains, the river swells up and the current is fast, which presents major difficulties for the villagers.
The elders carry children on the back to drop them across the river while going to the school and back. The villagers allege that they have repeatedly asked the local MLA and officials concerned to facilitate construction of a bridge here.
However, no action has been taken in this regard despite the repeated requests. The village is situated about seven kilometres from Haldwani city. The road which connects the village to the city is dissected by the Sukhinadi river. Though this river remains dry during most of the year, it comes to life during the rains.
The children in the village say that often their school books, shoes and other items are swept away in the river while attempting to cross it. At times when the current is too strong, some kids tend to faint from fear and have to be taken back home. The adults in the village state that during the monsoon, they carry their children across the river on their shoulders or back. When the current of the river is too strong, the kids have to abstain from school which affects their studies.
In case someone falls ill, it takes longer to take ailing person to the hospital which at times leads to deterioration in condition. The villagers are now feeling frustrated due to the continued apathy of the authorities to their demand.