Madhya Pradesh: 308-metre bridge remains unused due to missing roads
A bridge built over the Dudhi river in Narmadapuram district lacks the necessary 2.7-km access roads to connect local villages.
A 308-metre bridge completed in December 2023 over the Dudhi river in Madhya Pradesh's Narmadapuram district remains unusable, according to The Indian Express. The structure, located near Umardha village in the Bankhedi area, was intended to connect the district with neighbouring Narsinghpur and improve access for 40 to 50 villages.
The bridge was sanctioned at Rs 8.86 crore, though the contractor completed construction for approximately Rs 8 crore. While the bridge and short approach-road stretches of 50 metres and 100 metres on either side are finished, the 2.7-km access roads required to connect the structure to the existing village-road network have not been built.
Setu Nirman Vibhag officer Raidas said the work assigned to his department is complete. He stated that a detailed report has been submitted to the state government identifying two remaining stretches: approximately 1,200 metres on the Narsinghpur side and 1,500 metres on the Narmadapuram side.
Raidas noted that the road on the Narmadapuram side must connect the bridge through Pasi Ghat to a village road maintained by the Public Works Department (PWD). On the Narsinghpur side, the remaining stretch is about 1.2-km long.
The officer suggested the PWD could be considered for the Narmadapuram side, while the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) might be involved on the Narsinghpur side. However, the final decision on which agency will undertake the remaining work rests with the state government.
The bridge is intended to connect the Saikheda area of Narsinghpur, including Mawar and Tumda, with settlements such as Pasi and Umarda. A functioning connection would assist farmers and residents seeking healthcare and essential services.