On a plank and a prayer: How two narrow cement structures, serving as a ‘shortcut bridge’, are testing survival skills

NEW DELHI: In a congested pocket of Okhla Phase-I near Indira Camp, two narrow cement planks, typically used for electric poles, serve as a lifeline for hundreds of residents crossing a waterlogged drain every day. What locals call a “shortcut bridge” has, over the years, turned into a serious safety hazard, with multiple injuries and at least one reported death linked to the crossing.Residents say the makeshift structure has existed for years, forcing people to balance dangerously while moving between two sides of the locality.Vishaka Devi, 35, while crossing the makeshift bridge with her four-year-old grandson on her shoulder, pointed out how the structure was once wider and safer. “There used to be three slabs. Now only two are left, making it difficult and risky to cross.” Devi suffered injuries in Nov during one such precarious trip and is still undergoing treatment at a hospital. “I have to cross this ‘bridge’ 30-35 times a day to get supplies for my general .How two narrow cement structures, serving as a ‘shortcut bridge’, are testing survival skills store. I have no other option,” she added.Another resident, 55-year old Nipen Chand Rai, sustained a fracture after slipping at the same spot during rain around 10 days ago. The most alarming case, residents say, is that of 50-year-old Suresh Kumar, who fell into the drain two months ago and died a month later after falling ill due to exposure to the contaminated water.Residents say the plank was initially installed as a temporary measure. During monsoon, the situation worsens significantly. “It’s been like this for a long time,” said Ramesh Yadav, 42, who has lived in the area for 25 years. “When it rains, the plank shifts and the water rises up to here,” he said, gesturing towards his waist.Over the years, residents have repeatedly repaired and repositioned the plank at their own expense. “Whenever it breaks or slips, we gather people from the area and repair it again,” said Karan Poddar, 31