In wake of the arriving monsoon, the pontoon bridge on Ravi river is to be dismantled as part of precautionary measure. The bridge will be dismantled on or before June 30, ahead of the monsoon.
However, the move will force the residents of these villages to rely on boats to cross the river for their daily needs. The villagers face risk crossing the river between July and September due to heavy flow of water in the river during the three months.
The people of eight border villages across Makoda Pattan in Gurdaspur district which include – Toor, Chib, Bharial, Mammi, Chakranga, Kajle, Chumber and Lassian— having a population of around 4,500 – are forced to lead a miserable life due to connectivity issue challenging these villages. Farmers and labourers are rendered jobless while the students are unable to attend regular classes away from these villages during the rainy season. Patients needing emergency health care services are the worst sufferers.
Meanwhile, as reported by Hindustan Times, Punjab cabinet minister and Dinanagar MLA Aruna Chaudhary said that the state government has earmarked Rs 100 crore in the budget for various developmental works in the area, including a bridge, across the river at Makoda Pattan.
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