Kota: The people of Parampalli and Heggadtimakki ward of Saligrama town panchayat have a long standing demand for a bridge across the Naikana Bailu stream which is a tributary of Sita River. Every time during the time of election, the topic of bridge becomes a prominent topic of discussion at both the wards. But with the end of the election, the promise is forgotten.
Travel shadowed by danger
`Presently there is a wooden bridge here. However, during every monsoon season the bridge becomes dysfunctional and the villagers are compelled to cross the bridge with a direct risk to their lives. School-college students, farmers, fishermen, labourers mist tend to their activities shadowed by danger. Therefore, the locals have been demanding for the construction of a bridge here.
Fodder for election campaigning
From the election for the local town panchayat to the Lok Sabha elections, the bridge issue remains only as the prominent fodder for campaigning during election. Several persons have won the local elections based on their assurances regarding the bridge. Since the bridge has not been built, there are instances where the opposition party has indulged in promotion against the ruling party for failing to fulfill their promise. The people saddened by the false assurance, vote for another and only taste failure. During the last TP election, this topic garnered much attention, but the assurance remained only an assurance.
People have lost faith
Since the last 25-30 years, the people of the area have only been receiving assurances from the representatives of the people. Consequently now, the people lost all faith on the local administration.
Will not believe assurances
“Since the last 5 decades we have been submitting requests for a permanent bridge here. During elections, everyone assures of constructing the bridge. But post elections, all is forgotten. Soon the monsoon will begin and the problems will persist. Until the bridge is constructed, we will not believe any assurance,” assures
Bhaskar, local resident
No official information
“The demand for a permanent bridge exists since a long time. A proposal along with the estimated cost has been submitted to the Department. But no official information has come to TP regarding its approval. There is possibility where it may be approved on the Department level and the work may begin,” explains
Padmanabha, Saligram TP Engineer
Problem returns with the rain
If the residents from here need to reach the main market at Saligram or Kota, they have to take a round-about road of 8kms. But thorough this wooden bridge, the distance to the location is a mere 2-3kms. Besides, on the either side of the bridge, roads have been constructed long back to reach the main road. Hence, if a permanent bridge is constructed, direct transport shall begin.
