Uttarkashi's Forgotten Village: Two Years of Daily River Crossing Risks
In the remote village of Thali-Talda in Naugaon tehsil, Purola block, life has become a daily exercise in risk management. Two years after the 2023 disaster that washed away their only bridge, nearly 400 residents continue to face exhausting and dangerous river crossings with no permanent solution in sight.
The Daily Struggle for Survival
Local resident Naveen Chamoli vividly recalls the day their lifeline disappeared. The bridge connecting the village to the main road was swept away in 2023 and has never been rebuilt. Since then, villagers must walk approximately two kilometers daily just to reach the nearest road, with no safe alternative to cross the Kamal River.
Another villager, Sachin Kumar, highlights the economic impact of this neglect. The region produces valuable cash crops, but transporting them to market has become extremely challenging without a proper bridge. The situation turns critical during monsoon season when the Kamal River swells, forcing people to risk their lives during crossings.
Students and Farmers Bear the Brunt
Village head Kripal Singh identifies students as the most affected group. Families live in constant fear of accidents while their children cross the river to reach school. Despite repeated demands over the past two years, no progress has been made on constructing a permanent bridge.
The agricultural community faces particularly severe challenges. Farmers often cannot transport their crops to market during rainy season. The temporary wooden bridges they construct get washed away when water levels rise, sometimes forcing villagers to form human chains to cross the raging river. Women frequently carry produce on their backs to Sunara Chhani, adding physical strain to their daily burdens.
Administrative Response and Future Prospects
Purola sub-divisional magistrate Mukesh Ramola stated that the administration maintains continuous correspondence with the government regarding this issue. He indicated that further action will be taken once approval is granted, though villagers continue waiting for concrete results after two years of promises.
The situation in Thali-Talda village represents a larger pattern of infrastructure neglect in remote areas, where communities struggle with basic connectivity issues that affect education, commerce, and most importantly, human safety.
