40 UP villages pool funds to build own bridge
Residents of 40 villages in Uttar Pradesh are self-funding the construction of a bridge after government officials cited budget constraints for the project. While the community views the bridge as a vital safety improvement, local authorities have labeled the construction as unauthorized and unsafe.
Why it matters
This highlights the tension between grassroots community infrastructure initiatives and government regulatory oversight in rural development.
Bareilly: Tired of endless waiting for govt action, residents of nearly 40 villages in Moradabad’s Kundarki assembly constituency are pooling resources to construct a 50 m bridge over Bahalla river. Villagers claim the initiative comes after district officials cited budget constraints for a project earlier estimated at ₹9 crore. In contrast, locals said they are constructing a sturdy structure for just ₹25 lakh.Construction is underway, with over ₹12 lakh spent so far. Once completed, the bridge will improve connectivity and cut the travel distance to Rampur from 25 km to just 7 km.For years, the community—situated on Moradabad-Rampur border—has relied on a hazardous, makeshift wooden bridge. Locals claimed crossing the river here has led to multiple tragic fatalities over the years, including the drowning of a local panchayat member four years ago.
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