‘We risk our lives every day’: Erode villagers demand bridge across Bhavani River

Erode, Tamil Nadu: Residents of Koothampoondi village in Erode district continue to face a daily ordeal, risking their lives to cross the Bhavani River in fragile coracles due to the absence of a bridge.

For years, villagers have been demanding a permanent crossing, but their appeals have gone unanswered, forcing them to depend on unsafe and time-consuming alternatives.

The lack of a bridge has left hundreds of families isolated, with farmers taking nearly a 10-kilometre detour to sell their produce in nearby markets, leading to losses and delays. Daily wage workers, particularly women, face additional hardships as they rely on these perilous crossings to reach their workplaces.

A resident explained the dire situation: “We have to work to earn our living. So, irrespective of the risk to our lives, we still cross the river. When water is released from Kerala, the flow becomes unpredictable, making the journey even more dangerous. There are over 2,000 women in Koothampoondi, most of them daily wage earners. This bridge will help us and the farmers. We’ve raised our issue many times, protested many times. The river has even washed away our cattle.”

The villagers are once again urging the Tamil Nadu government to intervene and expedite the construction of a bridge across the Bhavani River. They hope that authorities will finally address their long-standing demand to ensure safer travel, economic stability, and better connectivity for the community.

(With PTI inputs)