No response from UP government, Noida residents pool money for bridges

NOIDA: Residents are crowdfunding to reconstruct two bridges on the Kondli irrigation drain near the Sector 81 metro station. They plan to deposit the collected amount in the UP CM's fund. The two bridges have been in shambles for several years now.
Shamal Bhatti, a villager, said, "We have made every kind of request to the authorities, from writing letters to meeting officials personally, but got no positive response. People, including children, have slipped from the bridges into the drains due to the absence of railings and died."
Volunteers collected nearly Rs 700 by Sunday evening from nearby villages, including Salarpur village, shopkeepers, and commuters. More than a lakh people, including students, use the two bridges daily on foot, bicycle or bike.
"Lakhs of people commute to sectors 81, 101, 7x, and the Special Economic Zones (NSEZ) via these bridges. We decided to crowdfund unanimously after the authorities failed to reconstruct the bridge on the Kondli irrigation drain despite repeated requests. Several locals contributed by giving one rupee to Rs 200. Some also questioned why we are raising this fund as we already have a government for this work and everyone is paying taxes," said Brajesh Sharma, a resident of Noida.
One year ago, three children from Salarpur village fell into the drain. One of them died in the accident. The bridges, built nearly 25 years ago, get submerged under the drain water in monsoon. "The drain is also full of garbage and requires immediate cleaning. Every other day, we see people burning this garbage," said Jitendra Kumar, another resident of Noida.
Kumar added that those who could not contribute financially helped physically by helping in the collection of money. "Everyone was willing to contribute so that these bridges get reconstructed soon. After getting a decent amount, we will deposit it in the UP CM's fund," added Brajesh Kumar.
BK Singh, an official from the irrigation department, told TOI, "We will go and see if the bridges need reconstruction and do what's necessary. We will ask for funds from the Noida Authority, and if it does not disburse the same, we will consult our seniors from the department."