Residents of three remote villages in Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu district are grappling with persistent connectivity issues, more than a year after the collapse of the Dogda bridge over the Falachan river. The lack of a functional bridge has significantly impacted the daily lives of approximately 600 people in the Mashiyar gram panchayat of Banjar subdivision, who are now demanding urgent action from the state government and the Public Works Department (PWD) to restore essential access.
Persistent Hardships Due to Delayed Reconstruction
The motorable bridge, a vital link connecting Kameda, Manjhli, and Mashiyar villages, was swept away on August 13, 2025, following torrential rains that caused a significant surge in the Falachan river’s water levels. Fourteen months have elapsed since the incident, yet villagers allege that no substantial progress has been made towards commencing the reconstruction of the bridge. This prolonged delay has created immense difficulties for residents in accessing basic services, commuting for work, and meeting their daily needs.
Information was available with The Chenab Times indicating that the bridge was a critical transportation artery for a substantial portion of the Mashiyar panchayat’s population. Its destruction has not only disrupted routine travel but has also posed particular challenges for students attending Bathahar School, who are forced to navigate the river to reach their educational institution.
Currently, the reduced water level in the Falachan river allows some vehicles to traverse its bed. However, local inhabitants caution that this is a precarious and temporary arrangement, fraught with risks, especially when the river’s flow intensifies during the monsoon season. Any substantial rise in water levels could render the crossing impassable, effectively isolating the three villages from the rest of the region.
Villagers Urge Expedited Work Amidst Concerns
A significant concern among the villagers is the uncertainty surrounding the finalisation of the construction site for the replacement bridge and the absence of any commencement of foundation work. They contend that the current period of low water levels presents an opportune window to initiate preliminary construction activities before adverse weather conditions make such work more challenging.
A delegation of villagers, including former panchayat up-pradhan Prakash Thakur, ward member Prem Singh, former ward member Bhag Singh, and residents Lal Chand, Het Ram, Amar Bharti, Dalip Singh, Megh Singh, Dharam Chand, Hira Lal, Darbari Lal, and Dhewa Ram, have collectively appealed to the authorities to accelerate the project. They have voiced concerns that any further postponement of the reconstruction efforts could push the construction timeline into another difficult season, thereby perpetuating the hardships faced by the villagers, students, and local workers.
The residents have implored the state government, the Kullu Deputy Commissioner, and the PWD to expedite the process of finalising the site and commencing the foundation work without further delay. They emphasized that the bridge is more than just a means of transport; it is considered a lifeline for the three affected villages, and its prompt reconstruction is essential to re-establish safe and dependable connectivity.
Efforts to obtain a statement from the Banjar PWD Executive Engineer regarding the stalled project proved unsuccessful, as the official did not respond to calls made for comment. The ongoing delay underscores the critical need for infrastructure development and timely project execution in remote areas to ensure the well-being and accessibility of its inhabitants.
The Chenab Times News Desk