Assam's Bongaigaon villagers build bridge and road with public donations, filling infrastructure gap

In a remarkable display of community spirit, residents of No. 1 Bhandara village in Assam's Bongaigaon district have constructed a bridge and approach road worth nearly Rs 7 lakh using public donations, succeeding where government agencies and elected representatives had failed for decades.

 

The project, located under the Srijangram Development Block in the Abhayapuri constituency, was completed over a period of nearly two months through contributions from villagers and the efforts of a group of local volunteers.

 

According to residents, around Rs 4 lakh was spent on constructing the bridge, while another Rs 3 lakh was used to build the connecting road on both sides, making the route fully motorable.

 

The lack of a proper bridge had long been a major concern for the village, with ambulances unable to reach the area and schoolchildren facing difficulties crossing the route. The road also serves as the primary access for students travelling to Manikpur Regional College, Bijni College, and nearly eight to ten schools and colleges in the region.

 

Following the completion of the project, a public meeting was held to present the expenditure details. The event was attended by LRS Subhash Medhi of the Manikpur Revenue Circle, retired Bhandara High School headmaster Darek Ali Mondal, former Zila Parishad member Abdul Matin Ahmed, and several other prominent local residents.

 

Notably, villagers said no assistance was sought from any elected representative for the project. Residents pointed out that despite the route's importance, no bridge or road had been constructed by public representatives since Independence.

 

The initiative has drawn praise as an example of collective action, with villagers proving that community participation can overcome long-standing infrastructure challenges when public support comes together.