When life becomes balancing act...

DHNS

• Nadnahalli gets into action mode as monsoon sets in

Somwarpet, 12 June 2010: While people all over the world wait for rains, the residents of Nadnahalli village in Bettadahalli GP limits fear the rains because for them rains replay an episode of struggle every year. 

 
The village has no bridge to cross river Kumaradhara, which overflows precariously during rainy season. All they have for a bridge is a bamboo fastened with ropes.

 It is on this hanging bridge that men, women and even little children have to walk and reach their destination, putting up a balancing act, literally.

Many parties came to power and many leaders have visited the village but till date nothing has changed in the village as far as infrastructure is concerned. Another thing that has not changed over several years is isolation that happens to the villagers here every year during rainy season for about 3 to 4 months.

This village located on the foothill of Pushapagiri receives about 300 to 400 inch rainfall every year. During rainy season river Kumaradhara overflows, splits into two branches and isolated the village from rest of the world. Since the villagers have their agriculture lands and farms away across the river, crossing the hanging bridge to reach to their farms becomes inevitable.

While the men carry the plough and other agricultural equipment, the women follow them with stock of seeds, food and other items on their heads.

The village has over 12 families living there and their decade old demand for a bridge has been falling on deaf ears.

It is said that since Pushpagiri comes under reserve forest and since providing connectivity from this village to  other village is not possible the proposal for construction of bridge has not yet  materialised.

Recently State Government Advisory Committee Special Invitee Vishal Jeeth too had visited the village and submitted a report.

All in all the residents of this village have almost lost hopes on getting a bridge and every year, they prepare themselves to walk on the hanging bridge, which has become a part of their lives.