Tuesday, 11 February 2025 | PNS | UTTARKASHI
Locals from Uttarkashi sounded deeply worried over the dilapidated three jhula bridges which serve as lifeline of the town. They point out that the administrative negligence and nonchalance is to blame for the risks they are running daily while using these bridges which might crumble anytime. “There has been neither maintenance nor repair. Moreover, rubbles is being allowed to fall and accumulate on them. The nuts and bolts have become loose in several places and the iron components are dangerously rusting due to a lack of fresh painting,” one of the anguished locals said.
“What is more alarming for us is the administrative and departmental apathy in addressing these issues. The people’s representatives prove no better in insensitivity. They are equally unconcerned with the condition of these bridges worsening day by day,” another local said while venting out anger.
This callousness is all the more saddening in view of Uttarkashi being an important centre of the annual Char Dham Yatra. The district houses two of the four revered shrines-Gangotri and Yamunotri. Aside from religious tourism, the town is a thriving centre for normal tourism as the district is with picturesque tourism locations which draw lakhs of nature lovers from across the country as well as the world.
Thousands of people from areas like Ladari, Dhag, Joshiyada and Gyansu cross these suspension bridges daily and they include school students, traders and employees besides locals.
A social worker Ajay Badola urged the administration to repair these bridges at the earliest. “We do not want to hear any more excuses. We are terribly tired with pompous development promises during the election time which peter out once the election is over. Who will own responsibility if a disaster occurs with the snapping of these bridges?” he asked. He added: “These three bridges are not just vital transportation routes; they are also crucial to the daily routines and livelihoods of thousands.”
The youths have opted for the social media routes to take their grievances to the authorities concerned. They are threatening full-blown agitation if the administration continues to pay a deaf ear to their concerns.
