Bijnor: It seems both local administration and residents of villages along the river Ganga have forgotten last month’s accident when a boat capsized midstream, claiming 10 lives. Residents continue to cross the river in overcrowded boats loaded with fodder and sugarcane without donning safety jackets distributed by the administration. The promise to install a temporary bridge across the river is yet to be implemented by the authorities.Residents of Daibalgarh, Ravali, , Brahmpuri, Narayanpur, Bhojpur, Razarampur, Raghunathpur, Chaharwala, Fatehpur, Beeruwala, Mirzapur Simali and Koharpur villages are among those who risk their lives to cross the river every day as their fields are on the other bank. While they continue to blame the administration for not doing anything for their safety, they show no inclination to wear safety jackets. The administration had distributed 60 jackets among the residents of 21 villages located on the river banks after the boat tragedy near Debalgarh village.On Wednesday, some residents who were crossing the river without life jackets displayed ignorance about the need for wearing safety jackets that keep one afloat in case the boat capsizes.Shortage of life jackets is another reason why all cannot don them. As Rajendra Kumar of Razarampur put it, “Around seven to eight jackets were given to each village while around 15 boats of my village ply on the river. The jackets were not enough for us. Only kids are wearing them. Scores of villagers, including farmers and labourers, cross the river by boat every day. Nowadays, we are hauling fodder across the river. It is the matter of our livelihood. We rather risk our life.”Dairy farming is a primary source of livelihood in the area. So is sugarcane cultivation.Kumar added, “Now, we have to haul sugarcane across the river. We have repeatedly demanded that the district administration set up a temporary bridge across the river during crushing season but nothing has been done so far.”Raghuveer Singh of Daibalgarh said, “In winter, we have to haul our cane crops from the other side of the river by tying up two big boats for ferrying either a tractor trolley or a bull cart laden with sugarcane. But it is risky.”He demanded that the administration should build a bridge to connect sugarmills in Muzaffarnagar or Uttarakhand with farmers’ fields.When contacted, SDM, Bijnor, Brijesh Kumar Singh said, “We are aware about the hardships of the farmers. We had distributed 60 life jackets. If the villagers are not using them while travelling by boat, we will look into the matter. Besides, we are mulling over building a temporary bridge.”

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