Bharatpur, Nov. 9 -- Thousands of people from Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh risk their lives daily by crossing the Chambal River in Dholpur district on wooden boats, demanding the construction of an overbridge to connect the two states. Locals prefer the river route - around 15 kilometers long - over the road route, which stretches nearly 150 kilometers. Wooden boats operate from Bhuda Ghat on the Rajasthan side in Rajakhera tehsil, ferrying people, two-wheelers, milk cans, and other daily-use goods to villages across the border in Madhya Pradesh. About 400 villages and hamlets are located along the Chambal ravines on both sides of the border. Each crossing takes roughly 20 minutes. Most of the travellers are daily-wage labourers and milk sellers who depend on the boat service for their livelihood. By road, the distance from Rajakhera in Dholpur to Ambah or Porsa in Madhya Pradesh is over 100 kilometers, while the river route cuts the journey down to around 27 kilometers. Villagers say they have been using this waterway for generations but now want a permanent bridge for safer and faster travel, especially as Agra-Gwalior Expressway work is underway. Dholpur collector Shrinidhi BT said, "The process of land acquisition for the expressway is in progress. Villagers have requested connectivity through a bridge, and we have discussed their concerns with officials of the NHAI to find a solution." SS Tomar, resident of village Gopalpura said that people from around 400 small and big villages have been facing lack of proper way, while adding that an overbridge on the river is needed to move from Dholpur to Madhya Pradesh. Kishan Singh, resident of village Tikampur said it takes only 25-30km to reach Madhya Pradesh by crossing the river while the road route takes hundreds of kilometres. District collector has assured villagers of an overbridge with the proposed expressway....