Residents of Dhan Chandra Para in South Tripura continue to risk their lives crossing streams on bamboo bridges and broken electric poles due to the absence of a permanent bridge. Nearly 60 indigenous families face severe connectivity challenges, prompting renewed demands for government intervention and rural infrastructure development.
For the nearly 60 families residing in Dhan Chandra Para, a remote village under Shibpur ADC Village in the Rishyamukh Assembly Constituency of South Tripura district, everyday life begins with a risky journey across a stream using makeshift structures built by the villagers themselves.
The village, predominantly inhabited by indigenous communities, remains disconnected from proper transportation infrastructure due to the absence of a permanent bridge on its only access route. As a result, residents are forced to navigate dangerous crossings daily to reach schools, markets, agricultural fields, rubber plantations, and nearby towns.
In the absence of government-built infrastructure, villagers have taken matters into their own hands. Using bamboo collected from nearby forests, they constructed a temporary bridge across one stream to maintain basic connectivity. At another crossing point, where neither a bridge nor a culvert exists, broken electric poles have been placed across the waterway, creating a narrow and hazardous passage for pedestrians.
For villagers, these makeshift arrangements are not merely temporary solutions but essential lifelines. Every day, school-going children, farmers, workers, and elderly residents rely on these fragile structures to travel in and out of the village.
The situation becomes significantly worse during the monsoon season. Rising water levels and slippery surfaces make crossing the streams even more dangerous. Parents remain worried as children walk across the unstable bamboo bridge on their way to school. Farmers also face major difficulties transporting agricultural produce and other goods to markets, affecting their livelihoods and income.
According to local residents, accidents have become a common occurrence. Several students have reportedly suffered injuries after slipping while attempting to cross the streams during periods of heavy rainfall.
“We have no other option. This is the only road connecting our village,” said a resident, expressing disappointment over what villagers describe as years of neglect and unfulfilled promises.
Residents claim that the issue has repeatedly been brought to the attention of elected representatives and government officials. Memorandums have reportedly been submitted to various authorities, including the Block Development Officer (BDO), MDC Debajit Tripura, local political leaders, and the area’s MLA.
Over the years, several officials and public representatives have visited the site and conducted inspections. Villagers say assurances were frequently given regarding the construction of a permanent bridge. However, despite these visits and commitments, no concrete progress has materialized.
According to the villagers, block-level officials had earlier conducted geo-tagging of the location as part of preliminary assessments. However, they were later informed that the available funds were insufficient for the construction of a bridge and that higher-level intervention would be required to move the project forward.
The prolonged delay has left residents frustrated and concerned about their future. They believe that a permanent bridge would not only improve connectivity but also enhance access to education, healthcare, markets, and economic opportunities.
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For the people of Dhan Chandra Para, the demand remains straightforward and urgent: the construction of a permanent bridge that can finally end years of hardship and connect their village safely to the outside world. Until then, the fragile bamboo bridge and broken electric poles will continue serving as the only link between the remote community and essential services beyond their village.
