In Masol, mission connectivity takes off: Work on 4 bridges begins, finally

During the rainy season, when the river fills up, travelling on the road to reach Masol becomes dangerous. Those who need to cross the river use camels. Almost every house has a camel.

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Officials told Chandigarh Newsline that due to the absence of bridges, people are facing many problems and in the monsoon, it is impossible to cross Patiala ki Rao, which swells after the rains.

In the rainy season, residents of the village are virtually marooned due to the absence of the road, but as there is not even a dispensary or hospital nearby, many have to undertake the hazardous journey. The village does not have a high school either. The absence of proper connectivity was also affecting education of children there. No students go to college from Masol. The highest-educated have completed Class XII in Pinjore. Reaching Pinjore is also a challenge in the rain, as it is across another seasonal river, the Ghaggar.

“The village came into the limelight after the discovery of pre-historic fossils here. The Prime Minister’s Office has asked the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to acquire land in the village. A proper approach road is a must in the area so that the anyone can travel hassle-free,” said an official who is overseeing the construction of the bridges.

The village was in news when a team of Indian and French scientists found fossils there that are said to be 2.6 million years old. The fossils are now in the Chandigarh museum, where they were taken during the visit of French President Francois Hollande. Recently, the Prime Minister’s Office directed the Archaeological Survey of India to acquire the land in the village for excavation.

The bridges will also give the village connectivity with neighbouring Karoran, Nayagaon, Nada and even Chandigarh.

Sarpanch of the village Najar Singh said that with the construction of the approach road commuting to and from the village will become easier. He said that not even two-wheelers could be used by the villagers. Once the bridges are made, it would provide solution to our problems, he said.