Bridge across Naxal turf

Nobody knows why they killed him, but all uniformly surmise that Naxals thought Ganesan’s murder will send out a strong message. It, however, turned out to be a self-goal. Till they were issuing the threats, work had come to a standstill at many sites. Contrary to their expectations, the gauntlet was accepted. Police and BRO jointly resolved that they would complete the bridge before Ganesan’s first death anniversary. Braving the threats, they worked overtime and accomplished the job much before the March 31 deadline.

Today, the bridge is ready, waiting for the ZP poll code to get over. There, however, will be a fitting commemoration of the late engineer. Top officials will be gathering at the spot to salute the man for his bravery. And a few days later, on January 26, Ganesan’s widow G Rathi will receive Shourya Chakra from the President.

At Etapalli, villagers will participate in a slew of programmes arranged in Ganesan’s memory. A peace rally, village cleanliness drive, blood donation camps, contests for school kids and women and prize distribution have been lined up for the occasion.

“We are proud of him. We salute his bravery,” says BRO Commanding Officer at Gadchiroli Colonel Bharat Shastri.

The surrounding villages are happy. At least about 50 of them now have a round-the-year access to Etapalli town, which has the only rural hospital in the area, a college and an agriculture market. Till now, they had to remain cut off for at least four months of the rainy season in the absence of the bridge.

“We are happy,” say Suresh Hechami from Parsalgondi and Dulsa Lekmi and Bala Gadve from Hedri. Both the villages are on the other side of the bridge. “We won’t be stranded now during monsoons,” they say.

Employment generation has been one of the important off-shoots of BRO activity. “Today, it is the single biggest employment provider in the district, which has just one industrial unit due to its forest cover,” says BRO engineer Dharam Singh. Mohan Usendi from Parsalgondi is one of the beneficiaries. He has been employed on the site since the past one year.

“For Naxalites, such activities only mean better access for the police,” says Gadchiroli Superintendent of Police Shirish Jain. “But see how much it actually helps the tribals.”

The BRO has now taken up works on two more bridges further east of Etapalli towards Chhattisgarh side. “They will pave the way for further accessibility,” says BRO Chief Engineer for the region B.B. Lal.