Lost hope with government, villagers in Haryana raise funds to construct bridge.

Villagers in Haryana state raised over one crore rupees among themselves to fund a bridge construction in the area, the request for which was long pending with the government.

The bridge is being constructed in Sirsa district over Ghaggar river in the village.

Residents of nine villages took it to themselves to get the bridge constructed after repeated pleas to the government fell on deaf ears. They collected over one crore rupees and started the construction of the bridge in May 2014.

The bridge will reduce the distance between these villages and Sirsa district from 40 kms to 10 kms.

Villagers are excited about the prospect of reduced travelling distance which will benefit them in many ways.

"This will benefit not just the farmers, but every villager including children who will now have a shortcut to go to schools. The extra cost the farmers had to incur while selling their crops will also get reduced," said Santa Singh, a villager.

The villagers claimed that they had to use boats to reach Sirsa. Temporary bridges were made where few people lost their lives while crossing the river, but the administration remained passive, said the villagers.

Some farmers, from the village Panihari which neighbours Punjab, had to enter Haryana via Punjab. Adding to their woes, the Haryana police refused entry to them with the crops saying that it was produced in Punjab and had to be sold there only.

While the villagers had little hopes from the government, secretary of the bridge construction committee, Major Singh, looked ahead to the state's contribution in the united effort of the villagers.

"We have constructed the bridge but we still need roads to connect bridge from both the sides. We request the administration and the government to construct the roads, at least half a km from both sides. We will be grateful if they construct the roads," said Singh.

The construction of the bridge is nearing completion, giving hopes of a easier life to the villagers.