MELAGHAR: The Tel Kajla hanging bridge in Melaghar, the sole lifeline connecting nearly six panchayats to the outside world, has once again fallen into a dilapidated state, with large holes and gaps visible across its structure, mere months after repair work was carried out with considerable fanfare.
Residents allege that the quality of the repair work was so poor that the bridge has quickly deteriorated back into a skeletal, unsafe structure, raising serious questions about how public funds allocated for the project were utilised.
The bridge serves as the only route for thousands of people daily, including school and college students, who cross it on foot from morning till night. Hundreds of bike riders reportedly also risk their lives crossing the damaged structure every day, as no alternative route exists for residents of the six dependent panchayats.
Local residents said that using the bridge has effectively become a gamble with their lives, warning that a major accident resulting in loss of life could occur at any time if the structure is not urgently repaired. They expressed frustration at what they described as administrative indifference despite the visible risk to public safety.
Villagers have demanded that the concerned department undertake permanent, quality repair work on the bridge without further delay, cautioning that continued inaction could lead to a serious disaster.