Bridge to prosperity Constructing the community contributed Wooden Bridge in Brahmanipali

About the village: Brahmanipali village of Udar GP in Deogaon Block is

one of the most back ward village in Balangir district situated on the lap

of Brahmani hill. It was established more than 200 years ago in a

remote location surrounded by hills and forests. It is located 18 km

away from Balangir District HQs towards south. It has 67 HHs out of

which 60 HHs are VFA members. But most of them are marginal

farmers having less than 1 acre of land. Out of 67 HH, 56 HH belongs

to OBC and 11 HH belongs to ST category in the village. It has a very

thin population of 283 which includes 154 male and 129 female. It

comes under Udar GP in Deogaon Block. Total land of the village is

around 400 acre out of which 100 acre is up land,60 acre is medium

land and 40 acre is low land. The average literacy level is 40 % in the

village.

About the river Banjhinala : There is a small river called as

Banjhinala which is called as the life line of villagers as they have to

cross it each day to reach Balangir District HQs. Not only the people of

Brahmanipali village depend on it

but also people from all the 12 villages

of Udar GP depend on it. The irony is

that there is no bridge on the river and

during rainy season all the 12 villages

including Brahmanipali village are

separated due to flow of water. The

worst affected are women especially

pregnant mother and nursing mothers

and patients. There are no. of incidents

when the patients have not reached to the hospital due to high water

flow in the river and passed away before reaching to hospital. The river

is not only used for communication but also used for ensuring drinking

water to people during summer and cremation of dead body through the

year.

Evolution of Wooden Bridge Construction: At last, the idea of bridge

construction was evolved during the Visionary Exercise cum Village

Awareness Programme being held on 25th Feb 2014 in the village. As

per the decision in the awareness programme, the villagers were highly

motivated. Accordingly, they took a strong decision to address the

connectivity issues with collective actions. Accordingly, all the VFA

members jointly decided to construct a wooden bridge with their own

contribution & support from RF BIJ. The wooden bridge is not only the

felt need of Brahmanipali villagers but also for supporting more than

5000 people of all 12 villages of Udar GP

during rainy seasons. During rainy

season, the villagers who knows

swimming could able to cross the river

but patients, women, children and

elderly people face extreme difficulty for

a period of 4 months. There are cases

when some people carrying patients to

hospitals in mid night washed away by

the violent flow its water. The local people have requested the local

administration no. of times for a bridge construction but there was no

fruitful result. When their genuine request was side-lined for years after

years, at last VFA members were united and felt to address it with their

own effort. The VFA members have taken permission from the local

forest officials for cutting of trees and from Sarpanch for its

construction.

Design and Specification of the Bridge: The bridge has a length of

55 mtr long, 15 ft height and 10 ft wide. It is basically a wooden bridge

being constructed with 48 wooden pillars,551 posts and planks.

Guard wall with cement concrete has been constructed in both the

sides of the bridge that connects to morum road one side Bragmnai pali

and other side Banjhipali. The pillars are from Sal tree whereas

roofing at the top is palm trees.

Community Contribution:

All the 60 VFA members

contributed their shramdan for a period of two months around the

clock. In addition to that 15 VFA members from Banjhipali and 10 VFA

members Sialbahali also contributed their shramdan for construction

of the bridge. Their contribution includes cutting of 554 big and small

trees from their own land, physical laboure, stone and taking approval

from Forest department and Sarpanch. Out of the total cost of Rs 2.81

lakh, community contribution is Rs. 1.31 lakh( 46%) and rest Rs. 1.5

( 53 %) from RF-BIJ support.

Milestones of the Construction

i. 25th February 2014: Visionary Exercise cum Village Awareness

programme and decision to make a bridge in the Banjhinal.

ii. 1st – 20th March 2014: Permission from Ranger, Forester, DFO,

Balangir for cutting of trees from own land.

iii. 25th March 2014: Permission from Sarpanch for construction of

bridge.

iv. 27th March 2014: Revenue Inspector visited the proposed area, for

verification of proposed tree cutting locations and feasibility

study.

v. 1st -7th April 2014: Certificate by RI for cutting of trees from

individual farm land.

vi. 8th -10th April 2014: Cutting of trees by VFA members from

individual land.

vii. 10th April 2014: –Feasibility study by Balangir Team

viii. 14th April 2014:- Foundation stone laying of Wooden Bridge and

construction started.

ix. 25th May 2014:- Visit of Ranger to Bridge construction site

x. 4th June 2014:– Inauguration by Vamsee Krishna Jasti, Dy.

Program Head, RF-BIJ programme and visit of all VFA leaders to

the site.

Role of VFA: Maa Samleswari Krishak Samiti was formed on 3rd May

2012 having 60 member HH including 50 farmer HH and 10 landless

HH. The VFA is headed by two youth Durman Bag( 27 yrs) and Kumar

Nag( 28 yrs). The VFA played a pivotal role in the construction starting

to motivation to completion as per the followings

i. Sensitizing each HH to contribute for the Bridge construction

ii. Taking permission from Forest Department for cutting of Trees.

iii. Taking permission from Sarpanch for construction of wooden bridge

on the river.

iv. Logistic arrangement for the construction

v. Liasoning with RF-BIJ team members

vi. Monitoring and supervision of construction.

Conclusion: The wooden bridge has not only ensured the

connectivity in Brahmanipali village after 200 years of its establishment

but also 12 villages of Udar GP in Deogaon block. Now it has become a

centre of attraction in the locality. Apart from addressing connectivity

issues, the bridge was strengthened solidarity and reinforced collective

action among the VFA members that with collective action they can

make their village as an ideal village.

Media Coverage: After one week of the inauguration it was highlighted

in different print and electronic media. Every day media people are

rushing to the site and exploring the factors of success. Media news is

attached as a separate sheet.

Voice of People:

“It was a dream for last three generations which turned to reality today”

……………… Pancha Ghibela( 50 years), Brahmanipali village

“The bridge would be more helpful to women and patients to access

better medical health care from Balangir”

Sukanti Ghibela( 45 years), Brahmanipali village

“It is an inspiration for many VFAs. While contributing laboure we

thought why not to start a similar work in our village Sialabhali”

…………………….Nirakar Meher( 62 years) Sialbahali village

“It is a symbol of bridging relationship between two neighbouring

villages i.e Banjhipali and Brahmanipali”

…………………………………………Santosh Chatria( 32 years) Banjipali

The making of Brahmanipali, Balangir wooden bridge

The proposed site to construct a bridge

The decision taken in the VFA GBM The survey began

The survey continue VFA members assemble to start the work

The problem in absence of bridge

The bhoomi puja conducted The layout being laid

Digging of the site for base construction Construction of the cemented base

Loading of the wooden pillar Cutting of the wooden pillar to shape

Transport of pillar to the pillar hole Fitting the pillars into the hole

Putting the desired number of pillars in the hole Bringing the pillars into shape

Fully completed pillars in position Inter connecting the pillars for extra support

Fitting the clamp & nob Fully completed pillars in position

Filling the upper strips & putting paddy straw Laying of the polythene sheet & soil on it

Spreading of soil to cover the top Fully covered top of the bridge

Front view of the nearly completed bridge The completed bridge

Ready for inauguration Walkover on the same

VFA sharing their happiness with RF BIJ staff Public use of the bridge