Rudrapur, July 18 -- For over 700 residents of Rampur village in Ramnagar block of Nainital district, crossing a seasonal river is a daily ordeal, especially during monsoon. With no concrete bridge in place, villagers are compelled to use a temporary and fragile wooden bridge, risking their lives every time they need to access basic amenities, schools, or healthcare. Rampur village, located nearly 27km from Ramnagar, remains disconnected from the main road network. Villagers must walk on foot to reach the nearest road at Patkot. En route lies the Kaligarh rainy river, which swells significantly during the monsoon, making the wooden structure not just a means of commute but a matter of survival. In the absence of a permanent bridge, villagers themselves have been maintaining the wooden structure for years. Just before the onset of monsoon, they reinforce it using available resources, driven by sheer necessity rather than technical knowledge or safety assurance. The bridge is a lifeline for students attending the government inter college in Patkot, who cross it daily, even during heavy rains. "Even pregnant women are forced to use the bridge when needed," said Hanshi Rawat, a local teacher. Locals recounted several instances of people slipping from the bridge, escaping with serious injuries. However, sub-divisional magistrate of Ramnagar, Pramod Kumar, assured that the matter would be examined. "Why a concrete bridge has not been constructed in Rampur is a serious issue. I will look into whether the delay is due to forest land complications or some other reason. Meanwhile, the department concerned will be directed to repair the existing wooden bridge to ensure safer passage," he said. Social activists have also voiced concern. Vinod Papney, a Ramnagar-based activist, said, "There are several villages that are either without bridges or where bridges got washed away every monsoon. The state government must conduct a survey and ensure the construction of permanent bridges in such areas."...