78 Years On, a Broken Bridge in Rural Assam Exposes the 'Myth of Development'

Guwahati: Even after 78 years of India’s Independence, residents of Chaparkata village near Chandubi Beel in Assam’s Palasbari constituency in Kamrup district are forced to cross a dangerous, dilapidated wooden bridge for their daily movement. The village falls under the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council, within the Barduar Tea Garden area, yet remains glaringly neglected by the authorities.

Students, farmers, daily wage earners and even livestock are compelled to use this weak and unsafe bridge every day, risking their lives. The shocking condition of the bridge has drawn expressions of disbelief not only from local residents but also from visitors and tourists travelling to popular picnic and tourism destinations such as Chandubi, Baregaon and Rani Khamar.

Despite repeated claims by successive governments about comprehensive rural development, this near-collapsing bridge exposes the harsh reality of infrastructural neglect in remote areas. Nestled amid hilly terrain, the region appears abandoned on all fronts, with residents alleging that government presence is virtually nonexistent.

Locals express deep resentment, stating that elected representatives and ministers are visible only during election campaigns. For students, the hardship is particularly severe. Children are required to travel nearly 8 to 10 kilometres to attend school, while those pursuing higher education must cover distances ranging from 15 to 30 kilometres, all while crossing this precarious bridge. Several times, accidents on the bridge have reportedly prevented students from reaching their educational institutions.

Residents claim they have repeatedly submitted appeals and memorandums to the Public Works Department (PWD), local MLA Hemanga Thakuria, and Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council Chief Executive Member Tankeswar Rabha, demanding the construction of a permanent concrete bridge. However, no action has been taken so far.

With each passing day, the condition of the bridge continues to deteriorate. Even during daylight hours, people struggle to cross safely, while night-time travel is almost unthinkable. Incidents involving villagers and domestic animals falling or getting injured on the bridge have already been reported.

Shockingly, there has been no visible response from contractors, engineers, or the concerned PWD officials, even as the bridge edges closer to total collapse. Adding to the concern, the Chandubi–Baregaon–Rani Khamar road, which runs close to the Assam–Meghalaya border and serves as a key route to tourism spots, has developed massive potholes at several stretches. Locals allege that multiple accidents have occurred on this road as well, yet the departmental authorities remain indifferent.

Residents say they have informed contractors and officials several times about both the damaged road and the unsafe bridge, but their complaints have gone unanswered.

A question now echoes across the region: if, even after 78 years of Independence, the government cannot provide a single concrete bridge to connect an isolated village, what does its promise of development truly mean?

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