78 years on, Barkagaon's wait for bridge over Peepal river continues
Hazaribag: In 2023, septuagenarian Itwaria Devi of Chandanpur village started feeling uneasy and soon lost consciousness. The hospital was only 2.5 km away at Barkagaon Chowk, but the swollen rain-fed Peepal river forced her sons to take a detour of 10 km to reach the hospital.
By the time they could reach their destination, Itwaria died.
Riya Kumari, a Class 9 student at Balika Uchch Vidyalaya, said she despite not willing to miss school, she is forced to do so, especially during the monsoon.
Around 10,000 people from 12 villages have been demanding a bridge over the Peepal river since independence, but their prayers have not been answered yet.
Several hundred students study in these schools but have to walk 2.5 km everyday, crossing the river on foot.
But during monsoon, they can't even do that because of the raging river.
Pawan said, "Children take their shoes in their hands, and their uniforms get wet while crossing the river."
Varsha Kumari, a Class 8 student at Balika Uchch Vidyalaya, said the farmers, who cross the river with green vegetables with water up to their waist, are the worst. "It's sad, and so many times we think of leaving our studies," she added.
Pawan said all these villages are the green bowl of Barkagaon, growing green vegetables year-round.
He said during the monsoon, they take the Barkagaon-Tandwa (Chatra) road to reach Barkagaon, a detour of 10 km.
Kumar said they have to cross areas of Chatra district also in this 10 km detour. "This is the reason why, many times, ambulances arrive late in the village at the hour of need through this Barkagaon-Tandwa route," he said.
Mukhiya of Barkagaon (West), Ranjeet Kumar, admitted that this problem is significant and affects the lives of 10,000 villagers, including women and school and college goers.
Kumar said the worst situation villagers face is during medical emergencies. He said that he has sent a proposal for a bridge here to BJP Hazaribag MP, Manish Jaiswal, who assured him of getting it cleared through the DMFT fund.
"I am hopeful of getting the proposal for a bridge cleared this time," he said.
A grocery shop owner said there are small and big shops in these villages, but no supplier comes here as they have to go to Barkagaon Chowk to take the consignment. "Our life is very challenging due to the lack of a bridge," he added.
When TOI contacted Barkagaon block development officer Jitendra Kumar Mandal, he said he would look into this issue to get a bridge constructed there. "I will get a report in this regard," he added.
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