Silvester D'Souza

Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP)

Kundapur, May 16: Yadamoge is a village located about 38 km from the taluk headquarters at the foot of Western Ghats. Although this village can stake claims to having several facilities, none of them are fully functional. A bridge here, which was built long back, has become a subject of utter neglect, without any maintenance or repair works having been undertaken since it was constructed, is in a precarious state now. It has become dilapidated and it looks like it is about to crumble any time now. The roads in the village are full of dust and potholes. People from Yadamoge and surrounding places are dependent on this fragile bridge and muddy stretch called road.

Yadamoge is not only a very backward hamlet, but also has the tag of being naxal infested. It has not gone through any development. The roads which connect this village to Hosangady have not been repaired since long. The people have no other go but to move on the dusty, rough road. The bridge located near Naga-Brahma-Yskahi shrine at Yadamoge Jambehadi is ready to crasj any time, but hundreds of vehicles are completely dependent on this bridge for their routine.

This 50-metre bridge had been built 48 years back. As no maintenance works were undertaken to this bridge thereafter, stones used for the pillar have fallen off, and the concrete slab has become very weak. The bottom of the bridge gives a fearful view. One wonders on which strength this bridge is standing. The locals are afraid that they might lose this bridge during this rainy season.

Everyday buses carrying passengers move on this bridge. Trucks and hundreds of other vehicles are also relying on this bridge and road, although there is a lurking fear inside their minds. Even during emergencies, auto rickshaws, it is said, refuse to tread this road because of its wretched state. Sick people go through hell here. If it rains, buses never come on this road, and hundreds of students can be seen walking to their schools and colleges several kilometres away.

As the monsoon comes near, the fear of the people here also worsens. In addition to the worst condition of roads and bridge, the street lights here also are non-functional. Locals have brought their worries to the notice of Byndoor MLA, K Gopal Poojary, and he has promised them of attending to them. But none of the promises have so have materialized, and the citizens say they may be forced to undertake protests to get things going.

One hopes that the officials and people's representatives attend to the basic needs of a stable bridge, motorable road, and functional street lights at Yadamoge village.