Dilapidated bridge forces mourners to wade through floodwaters in Pratapgarh

A decades-old dilapidated bridge over the Bakulahi River in Pratapgarh district has become a serious safety hazard for thousands of residents, forcing mourners to wade through floodwaters with a funeral procession earlier this month. The bridge, located on the boundary between Hansi Parji gram panchayat and Shivra village in Mandhata development block, sits approximately 15 feet below the main road and has remained in a deteriorating condition for years.

The gravity of the situation came into sharp focus on August 18 when family members carrying the body of Amit Kumar Maurya, a young resident of Shivra village, were compelled to pass through water-submerged sections of the bridge. After waiting for hours for the water level to recede, mourners had no choice but to proceed through the flooded route. During monsoon season, water accumulates over the bridge, completely disrupting movement and creating life-threatening conditions for commuters.

The bridge serves as a critical lifeline for an estimated population of 8,000 to 10,000 people from surrounding villages who depend on this route to access schools, hospitals, and main markets. Villagers report that children, elderly citizens, patients, and daily commuters are forced to risk their lives navigating the submerged bridge during heavy rains, with the structure's instability adding to the danger.

Social activist Ravi Prakash Singh Chandan has taken up the issue with the district magistrate of Pratapgarh, submitting a formal petition demanding the demolition of the unsafe bridge and construction of a new structure in its place. He has urged the administration to conduct a site inspection and grant immediate approval for the project in public interest.

Local residents warn that waiting for a major accident would be unwise. They emphasize that without timely intervention, the monsoon season could witness a catastrophic incident on this vital route, and have expressed hope for swift action from the district administration.