VALPOI
Locals at Paikul in Guleli-Sattari have been risking their lives on a daily basis to cross a makeshift footbridge ever since the Paikul bridge collapsed last year.
They have now put their foot down and have threatened to boycott the panchayat elections if authorities fail to either rebuild a safety rail on the makeshift footbridge or provide them with a polling booth in their area.
The Paikul bridge had been washed away due to floods in the Ragada River last year, cutting off access between Paikul and Guleli. Construction for a new bridge has begun and a makeshift footbridge was erected as a temporary arrangement.
However, the safety rail on the makeshift footbridge recently got washed away by heavy rains and residents are now expected to cross the footbridge without any safety rail.
Speaking to reporters, Paikul locals said they had been demanding the reinstallation of a safety rail since the last 15 days, but no action has been taken to date.
“We are expected to cross by this footbridge without a safety rail to exercise our franchise at the Guleli panchayat election on August 10. The other option is to take a long route via Bondla to vote. This is unacceptable and locals have threatened to boycott the elections if a safety rail is not installed on the footbridge,” said a resident.
“The other option is that election authorities should arrange a polling station in Paikul village itself. That way, we need not step out of our village to vote.”
A statement putting forth the demand had been submitted recently, but no decision has been taken as yet.
They have now put their foot down and have threatened to boycott the panchayat elections if authorities fail to either rebuild a safety rail on the makeshift footbridge or provide them with a polling booth in their area.
The Paikul bridge had been washed away due to floods in the Ragada River last year, cutting off access between Paikul and Guleli. Construction for a new bridge has begun and a makeshift footbridge was erected as a temporary arrangement.
However, the safety rail on the makeshift footbridge recently got washed away by heavy rains and residents are now expected to cross the footbridge without any safety rail.
Speaking to reporters, Paikul locals said they had been demanding the reinstallation of a safety rail since the last 15 days, but no action has been taken to date.
“We are expected to cross by this footbridge without a safety rail to exercise our franchise at the Guleli panchayat election on August 10. The other option is to take a long route via Bondla to vote. This is unacceptable and locals have threatened to boycott the elections if a safety rail is not installed on the footbridge,” said a resident.
“The other option is that election authorities should arrange a polling station in Paikul village itself. That way, we need not step out of our village to vote.”
A statement putting forth the demand had been submitted recently, but no decision has been taken as yet.
