Haridwar Rural MLA Anupama Rawat joined local residents in a public outreach march on Wednesday to press for construction of a swing bridge across the Rawasan River. The procession began at Aryanagar Goth and ended at Mangolpura Tiraha, where participants called for immediate government action.
A large number of rural women also took part in the march. The protest focused on the prolonged delay affecting a bridge that residents have described as essential for regular movement across the river.
MLA cites project delay and pending objections
Rawat said the bridge has been a longstanding demand in the area. According to her, the project received its first instalment in 2021-22, yet work has not started even after nearly 4 years.
She attributed the delay to objections raised by the Forest Department and other departments. Rawat said the government had not resolved these matters, leaving the proposed construction stalled at the departmental level.
The MLA said residents continue to face difficulties while crossing the river and travelling through the area. She added that the matter had been raised several times during Assembly sessions, but a solution had still not been reached.
Rawat argued that the bridge would serve a basic need rather than merely provide an additional transport option. She also claimed that timely construction could have prevented alleged loss of life and property in the area, and held the BJP government responsible for the situation.
Demand for approval and immediate construction
Rawat called for immediate financial approval for the proposed bridge and asked the authorities to clear the pending departmental objections. She said construction should begin as soon as the administrative hurdles are removed.
She also referred to protests by BJP workers, saying party members in the area had themselves been demonstrating and demanding that their government build the bridge. Rawat described this as an issue requiring serious consideration.
The MLA said matters involving basic facilities and local development should be addressed above party politics. She warned that if the construction process did not begin soon, she would be compelled to start a hunger strike with residents.
Local participation in the march
The march brought together residents seeking a clear decision on the Rawasan River project. Congress leaders Gurjeet Lahari, Tikaram Saini, Shailendra Pathak, Khem Singh, Chandraprakash Insha, Vinod Adhikari, Anees Ahmed, Salek Chand, Jaggi Singh, Jagat Patwal, Vijendra Kunar and Maheshwari Devi were among those present.
Shakuntala, Vimla Devi and Chandravati Devi also attended, along with a large number of villagers. The route from Aryanagar Goth to Mangolpura Tiraha was used to highlight the demand for the bridge and urge the government to move the proposal forward.
Conclusion
Residents are seeking the release of financial approval, resolution of departmental objections and the start of work on the proposed Rawasan River swing bridge. Rawat has said a hunger strike may follow if the process remains stalled.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the main demand raised by the residents?
Residents are demanding construction of a swing bridge over the Rawasan River.
Q. Who led the march?
Haridwar Rural MLA Anupama Rawat led the march with local residents.
Q. Where did the march begin and end?
It began at Aryanagar Goth and concluded at Mangolpura Tiraha.
Q. When was the first project instalment reportedly released?
Rawat said the first instalment was released in 2021-22.
Q. Why has construction reportedly not started?
Rawat said objections from the Forest Department and other departments remain unresolved.
Q. What action has Rawat warned of?
She said she may begin a hunger strike with residents if construction does not start soon.
