The people living in 42 villages of Dilchi Patti have remained cut-off from the mainland as the Devisaud bridge in Chinyalisaud was submerged by the water of Tehri lake. However, boats are being provided to ferry them to and fro by THDC and rehabilitation department. The people, including the students, are reaching their villages from Chinyalisaud and vice versa with help of these boats. The boat service continues from 6 am to 9 pm.
However, the movement of the boats is being hampered due to the garbage accumulating in the lake. The lack of lighting arrangement is compounding the ordeal for them.
The Devisaud bridge was submerged in the lake about four days ago.
There is no proper approach platform to climb the boats nor is there enough of lighting arrangements, things that are making it tough for them in the night hours, runs the refrain among the marooned people.
Garbage being brought down from upper side of the lake has accumulated near the lake area bordering Chinyalisaud, due to which the danger of accidents is looming large.
In addition, the stench from the garbage and its decay is also threatening to become a health hazard for the people.
last year, a piece of a log had obstructed movement of the boats, due to which about 30 people remained stuck for over half an hour in the boat till the log was removed to clear the path. Since then, the villagers have been demanding THDC and local administration officials to clean the lake, but the pleas seem to be falling on deaf ears.
Things can trigger a major accident anytime, local villagers like Ramesh Panwar and Suresh Singh are stressing. They demand immediate removal of the accumulated garbage aside from erecting an approach platform and lighting arrangements to ensure that transportation on boat is safe.