As the State authorities have not yet facilitated the desired level of restoration in areas affected by the June 2013 disaster, the start of rains this year has further exacerbated the travails of the locals. One such example can be seen in the Urgam area in Chamoli district where construction is yet to start for building a bridge across the Kalpganga river which will facilitate linking of various villages in the region.
The pedestrian bridge link to Khabla Bheta was swept away by the raging waters of the Kalpganga river in 2013. More than three years after the bridge was destroyed in the flood disaster, work has not yet been started for building a permanent bridge in place of the destroyed bridge.
The people have no option but to put their lives at risk while trying to cross the Kaplganga river using a rickety ‘bridge’ of unseasoned wood and stones. The aged people are the worst sufferers of the Government’s apathy towards this problem.
local villagers state that their condition and the way they are going to and fro across the river at this site, cannot be described properly in words. However, they have no other option but to risk their life and limb in trying to cross the Kalpganga holding each others’ hands in the absence of a stable and secure bridge across the river.
The villagers complain that they have raised the risk, hardships and other problems they face with the administration but the authorities have maintained an apathetic stance towards this area and issues of its residents.