Patna: For years, villagers in Teusa panchayat of Kishanganj district pressed for a bridge over the Ramjan river, whose monsoon floods routinely spill into surrounding farmland and disrupt daily life. What finally arrived was indeed a bridge – 40 metres long, solidly built and complete with approach roads – but standing firmly on cultivated land, with no river, rivulet or nullah flowing beneath it!The unusual placement of the bridge, constructed on a rural road linking Dhoombatti and Adhesara villages, has led to both confusion and debate among locals. Under the structure lies plain farmland that continues to be cultivated while the bridge forms part of a winding rural road that appears otherwise functional.
According to residents, the Ramjan river flows close to the two villages and floods every monsoon, sending water across the plains on either side. They said their repeated demand had been for a bridge over the river itself, not over an agricultural field. “We had been asking for a bridge over the Ramjan river, but this bridge came up on farmland,” villagers told reporters, adding that the structure, by its design, appeared more suited to draining floodwaters than carrying traffic.The residents have submitted a petition to the district administration, seeking corrective action and reiterating their demand for a bridge over the river.Reacting to the controversy, Kishanganj DM Vishal Raj told TOI on Friday that an inquiry had found the bridge was constructed on depression land. “The bridge was very much required there since excess water flow through the area during the rainy season. There is no alignment problem either although it doesn’t have connectivity right now,” he said. The DM added that a proposal for constructing approach roads was under consideration and would be taken up once it receives sanction.Those familiar with the geography of districts like Purnia, Kishanganj, Katihar and Araria said rural roads passing through flat terrain often feature structures like box culverts, designed to allow floodwater to pass through during the monsoon. From that perspective, a bridge-like structure on open land is not entirely unusual in north Bihar’s flood-prone belt.Even so, the Teusa bridge has drawn comparisons with another much-discussed structure spotted near Parmanandpur village in neighbouring Araria district during the post-flood season of 2024. That bridge, lying isolated in a vast stretch of farmland without approach roads, became a subject of widespread attention after its apparent lack of purpose came to light.The Parmanandpur bridge was later found to have been constructed before land for its approach roads was acquired, leaving it effectively abandoned. Officials subsequently acknowledged that its access roads had been mapped on private plots that had not been acquired.By contrast, the bridge in Teusa panchayat stands on an existing rural road that is in use and was constructed around five years ago. While its location continues to raise eyebrows, officials said its purpose was linked to managing seasonal water flow.
