Residents crying for construction of a bridge on tributary of the Beas .

FROM BIJENDER SHARMA:

Jawalamukhi-Thousands of residents of about two dozen villages including Ghalour, Kathog, Rainkha, Kaleshwar ,Balardu, Darang Gallian , Garli and Paragpur near here have been facing hardship due to apthy being shown by the state government and the local administration in the construction of a bridge on tributary of the Beas . This river passes by Ghallour village now called by name chamba pattan.This is the base camp for the buisness community for years. Some year ago a wooden bridge establisbed here for the residents. The bridge was washed a way during the devastating floods in August 1980.It was constructed in 1977at a cost of nearly Rs 5 lakhs.30 year have passed, but the bridge is yet to be not reconstructed. As a result the resident of villages falling on the other side have been at the mercy of God.It is learnt that after the construction of bridge residents take the benet of 10km. Now residents those are intersted to going in pragpur or Garli they have to go Jawalamukhi .So they face much difficulties single day spends in the journey of buses.

Mostly residents utilise the boating faciliaties for travelling.The serviceman and students are also gone to their station by boat. But some time riding of the boat is also a dangerous job. Specially in rainy season, the boating is very risky. Some time ago May 1976 at least 35persons washed away in this river.In the middle of river. When sailor did not control over the boat and all persons went to death on the spot.Gernally every year two or three persons go to death due boating or other problems.

The people are forced to end for themselves because the admimistration has not provided them with any assistance. The villagers have prepared two wooden boats. They not only use these boats for going from one side to the other, but also sorry on them articles of daily use and farm mechinery and tools.
The villagers face great difficulties when they have to carry their animals and wooden carts from one side to ther other. But ,they have faced the situtation.Some of athe villagers often carry cattle and wooden carts from one side to another.
The villagers are annayed with the local adminstration as well as with the politicians because their long standing demand had been ignored.The boats float till evening and after that villagers of other side are totally cut off.
A View of Beas river
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