A bridge of assurances awaits construction

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal"><span style="" font-family:="" arial="">BIHARSHARIF: Yet another proof of government apathy has been brought to the fore.</span><br /><br /><span style="" font-family:="" arial="">A case in point is the bridge that remains to be constructed over the Goithawa river, 2 kms east of Nalanda headquarters. The people of this area are demanding the construction of this bridge for the past several decades. In the absence of a bridge, the people of several villages including Alaudia, Nagama, Chhabilapur etc numbering about 60, face a lot of problems in their journey to Biharsharif, particularly during rains.</span><br /><br /><span style="" font-family:="" arial="">The town of Biharsharif is the only marketing place for them. Normally they have to cross the river by swimming when it is in full flow and on foot when the water level is low. There is no provision for boats. In case of sickness, people are unable to take patients immediately to a doctor in Biharsharif. No one in the Bihar government is bothered about the sufferings of these people.</span><br /><br /><span style="" font-family:="" arial="">Recently on February 22, 2004, the former Bihar CM and present Union rail minister Lalu Prasad had laid down the foundation stone for the construction of the said bridge but after parliamentary elections, no steps have been taken in this regard till now. The local RJD MLA Pappu Khan had also given strong assurances to the people but to no effect.</span><br /><span style="" font-family:="" arial="">Fed up with the government''s attitude, the people have formed a morcha to fight for their cause.</span></div> </div>