Residents of several villages in the Nagrota area of Jammu are facing prolonged isolation almost ten months after a vital bridge was washed away by flash floods. The bridge, which spanned the Tawi river, connected the Katal Batal area to the Raja Pad Devta shrine and surrounding communities. Now, with the monsoon season approaching, there are fears that the situation could become even more dire.
The разрушение of the bridge has affected daily life for an estimated 4,000 to 5,000 villagers, cutting off their primary access to schools, workplaces and markets. Pilgrims visiting the revered Raja Pad Devta temple are also impacted. Faced with no other option, people are now forced to use boats to cross the river, a solution that residents describe as precarious and insufficient. As per information available with TahirRihat.com, the situation is particularly difficult when the Tawi river swells during rains, leading to the suspension of boat services due to safety concerns, and effectively halting all movement.
Rajesh Kumar, a resident of Katal Batal, stated that villagers have been disconnected for over ten months since the bridge was destroyed and that the government has taken no action during this time. Frustrations are mounting in the community as repeated assurances from political leaders and government officials have not resulted in any tangible progress, leaving residents feeling abandoned and struggling with everyday challenges.
Santosh Singh noted that initially, only one boat was available, but now there are three boats serving hundreds of people daily from numerous villages. Despite promises from MLAs to rebuild the bridge over the Tawi, nothing has materialized. According to Singh, the residents feel ignored and isolated and view the government’s inaction as a failing.
The existing boat service, while essential at the moment, is viewed as an inadequate measure, particularly with the anticipated increase in rainfall. Residents fear that the river will become impossible to cross once monsoon rains intensify and water levels rise significantly. Pilgrims visiting the Raja Pad Devta shrine also face difficulties, including those attending religious ceremonies.
Anju Gupta, a pilgrim from Jammu who visited the shrine, reported, “The bridge is broken, there is water everywhere, so there is no way to go. We request the authorities to look into the matter. Many people have visited the area and made promises, but no one has done anything.” Another pilgrim, Devika, emphasized the need for better facilities for both visitors and local residents. Devika recounted being stranded with her grandson after coming for his mundan ceremony due to the lack of connectivity and called for safer boats and better arrangements.
The issue extends beyond the local residents, affecting thousands of devotees who visit the shrine, especially during religious events. Diyan Chand, a local resident, highlighted the inherent risks of the current temporary arrangements, particularly for women and children. He expressed concerns about overcrowding and the potential for accidents, pointing out that the government has been repeatedly informed of these dangers without any resulting action. According to Chand, senior officials and the government have been repeatedly informed, but no action has been taken.
Parents are particularly anxious about the safety of schoolchildren who rely on the crossing daily. Monika, a villager, voiced concerns about young children in the first and second grades and the constant worry parents face. She questioned who would be held responsible in the event of an accident, emphasizing repeated appeals to the authorities to resolve the issue.
Nandan Kumar Sharma recalled that the bridge leading to the Pad Devta shrine has been damaged for years, despite ongoing assurances from public representatives. Sharma said that after the bridge collapsed, leaders promised a quick reconstruction, but nothing has happened, perpetuating the suffering of schoolchildren and villagers. He stated that people visiting Pad Devta are facing difficulties due to the damaged bridge and that the situation will worsen during the rainy season.
Villagers report that the lack of infrastructure impacts their livelihoods and overall wellbeing, with many feeling neglected by the authorities. The dependence on boats as the only means of crossing the Tawi river underscores the slow pace of reconstruction efforts and the dire need for a long-term solution. The approaching monsoon season amplifies the urgency, as increased water levels threaten to further isolate these communities, exacerbating the hardships already endured over the past ten months.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.
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