Kullu villagers build temporary footbridge as govt delays reconstruction

Frustrated by prolonged inaction from authorities, residents of Darmehra village in Kullu’s Sainj valley have taken matters into their own hands by constructing a temporary footbridge over the Ropa Khad. The previous wooden footbridge, crucial for daily commutes, was washed away in a flood over 16 months ago.

Despite multiple appeals for a new bridge, local authorities only installed a temporary ropeway, which has since deteriorated, posing additional risks for residents. Villagers like Liladhar, Khemraj, Bhimsen and Gyan Chand expressed concerns over the ropeway’s poor condition, noting it often stalls mid-crossing, endangering lives.

In response to repeated pleas being ignored, Darmehra residents built a makeshift footbridge themselves to ensure safer passage over the ravine. Khemraj stated that the community, tired of waiting, felt compelled to act. Now, villagers can cross the Ropa Khad without facing the hazards associated with the unreliable ropeway.

Kullu district was severely impacted by floods in July of the previous year, with roads, highways, bridges and footpaths across the region sustaining extensive damage. However, restoration efforts remain slow. Naresh from Tirthan village highlighted that many remote roads remain in disrepair, creating dangerous conditions and increasing the risk of accidents. While temporary ropeways were installed at certain locations, the makeshift solutions are not sustainable or safe for long-term use.

A similar situation recently arose in Malana village, where locals constructed a temporary wooden bridge over the Malana nullah within five days after a cloudburst and subsequent flood destroyed the original bridge on July 31. Villagers claimed that inadequate government response following such incidents left them no option but to build their own solutions.

The prolonged delay in reconstruction and maintenance has sparked widespread criticism of the government’s failure to provide timely relief to disaster-stricken areas. Villagers argue that without proper infrastructure, their lives and livelihoods remain at constant risk. The self-made footbridges stand as both a testament to local resilience and a pointed reminder of the need for a quicker, more reliable response to infrastructure needs in disaster-affected communities.