Dilapidated bridge leaves 40,000 residents struggling in Assam's Dhubri

A deteriorating wooden bridge connecting Paglahat and Hazirhat villages in Assam's Tamarhat region has left an estimated 30,000 to 40,000 residents struggling with unsafe transportation, with locals alleging that the administration has failed to provide a permanent solution for more than two decades.

The bridge, located under Baterhat Gaon Panchayat in the Gauripur Assembly constituency of Dhubri district, serves as a crucial link for seven to eight villages. However, its poor condition has made daily commuting increasingly hazardous, particularly for schoolchildren, pedestrians and people requiring emergency medical attention.

Residents said transporting patients to hospitals has become particularly difficult, as the fragile structure is unsafe for vehicles. Three-wheelers and four-wheelers can no longer cross the bridge, leaving villagers with limited transportation options during medical emergencies.

The structure has reportedly remained without permanent government repairs for the past 20 to 25 years. During this period, residents have repeatedly pooled their own money to carry out temporary repairs and keep the bridge usable.

Locals alleged that successive political representatives have failed to address the issue despite repeated appeals. They claimed that politicians visit the area ahead of elections and promise to construct a permanent concrete bridge, but the assurances are forgotten once the elections are over.

The continued deterioration of the bridge has added to the isolation of several villages, with residents forced to risk their safety to access essential services.

Questioning the government's claims of development, residents said the absence of a permanent bridge has left thousands dependent on a fragile wooden structure for their daily commute.

They have now urged the administration and elected representatives to take immediate steps to construct a permanent concrete bridge, warning that continued neglect could further endanger lives, particularly during medical emergencies.