Two years after bridge collapse, tribal villages still await connectivity

Despite Malkangiri’s projected growth with new air connectivity and infrastructure, remote tribal pockets face harsh ground realities. More than two years after a vital rural bridge collapsed in Chitrakonda block, hundreds of villagers still risk their lives daily, exposing a deep gap between development narratives and actual rural neglect.

The PMGSY bridge on the Andarapalli-Ramaguda road in Chitrakonda block was washed away by heavy rains on June 3, 2024. Despite costing several lakhs of rupees, no permanent reconstruction has occurred since. As a result, residents of Ramaguda, Ghusumpadar and several neighbouring villages are forced to cross the stream through adjoining agricultural land and temporary pathways, often in hazardous conditions, to go to schools, healthcare facilities, markets and government offices.

Villagers allege that despite repeatedly approaching the district administration, block authorities and the Rural Development department over the past two years, no concrete action has been taken. Written representations were also submitted during public grievance hearings and to engineering officials, but the bridge remains unrepaired.

According to villagers, when the PMGSY road was constructed between 2020 and 2021, most bridges along the stretch were newly built. However, they allege that the contractor merely overlaid bitumen on the old bridge instead of reconstructing it, making it vulnerable to collapse during heavy rains. They believe this alleged lapse in execution contributed to the present crisis.

When contacted, Rajendra Mahankud, Junior Engineer of the Rural Development department, acknowledged that the bridge had collapsed nearly two years ago. He said a detailed estimate for constructing a new bridge has already been prepared and submitted to higher authorities. A proposal has also been forwarded under the Setu Yojana, and construction will begin once financial approval is received.

True development extends beyond major infrastructure like airports and highways. It begins with ensuring all-weather village connectivity. Roads and bridges are vital lifelines that link communities from local villages up to district headquarters, ultimately connecting citizens to essential education, healthcare, markets, and government services.

For a geographically challenging district like Malkangiri, all-weather rural connectivity is a prerequisite for inclusive development. Without durable roads and bridges, isolated habitations cannot reliably access healthcare, education, markets, and welfare programmes, leaving vulnerable communities disconnected from the mainstream.

Malkangiri’s ambitious development highlights a critical gap: progress must extend beyond district headquarters to the most remote villages. True inclusive growth remains incomplete until reliable infrastructure safely connects every village to its Gram Panchayat, Block, and district headquarters.