India, June 13 -- After years of battling poor road connectivity, Savarde village on the border of Thane and Palghar districts has finally been granted approval for a permanent bridge. The decision brings long-awaited relief to residents, who have risked their lives for basic access to transportation.

The breakthrough comes a year after the tragic death of Bhaskar Padir, a 30-year-old labourer and sole breadwinner of his family, who was swept away in a sudden and unannounced water release from the Middle Vaitarna Dam. HT had in September 2024 written an-in depth story on the hardships villagers faced every monsoon.

On June 6, Savarde's sarpanch Hanumant Padir received a letter from the Public Works Department, which announced the propos...