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| Groom's Journey Through Tawi Exposes a Year of Neglect | | |  ashwani sharma
Early Times Report
UDHAMPUR, July 5: A heart-touching yet deeply concerning incident from Banti village in Udhampur has once again highlighted the hardships faced by thousands of residents after the Banti Bridge over the Tawi River was washed away. During the monsoon season, a groom had to be carried across the river in a traditional palanquin (palki) to reach his bride's home, as there was no bridge to ensure safe passage.
The situation could have turned fatal. Had the water level in the Tawi River risen suddenly due to heavy rainfall, the groom and the entire wedding procession could have been swept away. What should have been a joyous occasion instead became a stark reminder of the dangers local people face every day.
The Banti Bridge was washed away during the heavy rains of 26-27 August last year. Since then, nearly 40,000 people from several panchayats that depend on this bridge have been struggling without proper connectivity. Schoolchildren, patients, farmers, traders, government employees, and elderly residents are forced to risk their lives while crossing the river, while many villages become completely cut off during heavy rainfall.
Although the construction of a new Banti Bridge is reportedly approved but work has still not started. The delay has become a matter of serious concern for the affected communities, who continue to wait for a permanent solution.
Residents have appealed to the administration to immediately begin construction of the Banti Bridge and complete the project without any further delay. Once completed, the bridge will restore safe connectivity to all the panchayats linked by this vital route and end the daily hardships faced by thousands of families.
The viral images of the groom being carried across the river are not just a wedding story-they are a powerful reminder that basic infrastructure cannot be delayed when people's lives are at stake. |
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