Where's the bridge gone that would have been a boon to villagers in UP, Rajasthan and MP, asks secretary of Agra RTI Forum, Naresh Paras.

Explains Genda Lal, project manager of the UP state Bridge Corporation: "Yes the foundation-stone was indeed laid by the former prime minister Rajeev Gandhi at the Pinahat Ghat in September 1989, but work has not progressed due to lack of coordination and permission not coming forth from various authorities."

If the environmental clearance or NOC from the Forest department was not there, why was the announcement made and the foundation laid by no less a person than the prime minister of India then, asks Subodh Sharma, an activist of Pinahat.

The goof-up has come to light through an RTI application by Naresh Paras who shared the information with us.

The bridge on Chambal from Agra side was to open towards Morena district of MP. It was to be built at a cost of Rs.2449.65 lakhs, according to estimates presented before the state finance committee in 2006.

Right now, villagers cross the river through a pontoon bridge. "But during the rainy season only big boats ferry people across, but it is so risky," says Subodh.

An official of the UP state Bridge Corporation said permission for the Pinahat Ghat bridge had not been received, as the project is sited within the Chambal Wild Life Sanctuary protected area. A committee of Supreme Court too has to clear the bridge project. Repeated letters and reminders have been sent to Forest Conservators in Gwalior circle and Lucknow, but there has been no response from both of them.

The Chambal Sanctuary was notified five years after laying of the Foundation-Stone by Rajeev Gandhi. "For five years they did nothing, though at the time of the foundation laying ceremony, a big political rally had been organized for Rajeev Gandhi, it was said the bridge would be ready in a few years," a resident of Bah Ram Sewak recalled. ND Tiwari was the chief minister then and Moti Lal Vora the governor. Sonia Gandhi had then accompanied Rajeev for the function, recalls Dr. VP Mishra, a local resident.

An official said a formal application had been filed for clearance with the centrally empowered committee of the Supreme Court in 2007.

Villagers in Jodhpura village in Pinahat have taken good care of the stone tablet that has Rajeev Gandhi's name written in golden letters. "The villagers are still hopeful the bridge will come up some day." Banto Devi, a dalit, has taken good care of the foundation-stone and the tablet on her land.

Interestingly, in reply to an RTI question, the UP state Bridge Corporation said "the detailed project report and execution plan are prepared only after clearance."

RTI activist Naresh Paras said: "look at the facts of the case, the people of the area have been clearly cheated. They were given lollipops at the time of election. The Congress party forgot and later other parties too failed to highlight the issue.

We have a minister from the area in the Akhilesh Yadav government. If he takes up the matter some progress can be made.