The villagers of Brahmanipali village in Balangir, Odisha constructed a 55-meter long wooden bridge over the Banjhinala river with community contributions after their requests for a bridge to the local administration went unanswered for years. The 60 members of the Maa Samleswari Krishak Samiti village forest association contributed labor and materials worth Rs. 1.31 lakh towards the total cost of Rs. 2.81 lakh, with the remaining amount provided by RF-BIJ. The bridge now provides critical connectivity for the villagers of Brahmanipali and 12 surrounding villages, especially benefiting women, children, the elderly and those needing medical care.

1. Bridge to prosperity
Constructing the community contributed Wooden Bridge in Brahmanipali
About the village: Brahmanipali village of Udar GP in Deogaon Block is
one of the most back ward village in Balangir district situated on the lap
of Brahmani hill. It was established more than 200 years ago in a
remote location surrounded by hills and forests. It is located 18 km
away from Balangir District HQs towards south. It has 67 HHs out of
which 60 HHs are VFA members. But most of them are marginal
farmers having less than 1 acre of land. Out of 67 HH, 56 HH belongs
to OBC and 11 HH belongs to ST category in the village. It has a very
thin population of 283 which includes 154 male and 129 female. It
comes under Udar GP in Deogaon Block. Total land of the village is
around 400 acre out of which 100 acre is up land,60 acre is medium
land and 40 acre is low land. The average literacy level is 40 % in the
village.
About the river Banjhinala : There is a small river called as
Banjhinala which is called as the life line of villagers as they have to
cross it each day to reach Balangir District HQs. Not only the people of
Brahmanipali village depend on it
but also people from all the 12 villages
of Udar GP depend on it. The irony is
that there is no bridge on the river and
during rainy season all the 12 villages
including Brahmanipali village are
separated due to flow of water. The
worst affected are women especially
pregnant mother and nursing mothers
and patients. There are no. of incidents
when the patients have not reached to the hospital due to high water
flow in the river and passed away before reaching to hospital. The river
is not only used for communication but also used for ensuring drinking
water to people during summer and cremation of dead body through the
year.
Evolution of Wooden Bridge Construction: At last, the idea of bridge
construction was evolved during the Visionary Exercise cum Village
Awareness Programme being held on 25th Feb 2014 in the village. As
per the decision in the awareness programme, the villagers were highly
motivated. Accordingly, they took a strong decision to address the
connectivity issues with collective actions. Accordingly, all the VFA
members jointly decided to construct a wooden bridge with their own
contribution & support from RF BIJ. The wooden bridge is not only the

2. felt need of Brahmanipali villagers but also for supporting more than
5000 people of all 12 villages of Udar GP
during rainy seasons. During rainy
season, the villagers who knows
swimming could able to cross the river
but patients, women, children and
elderly people face extreme difficulty for
a period of 4 months. There are cases
when some people carrying patients to
hospitals in mid night washed away by
the violent flow its water. The local people have requested the local
administration no. of times for a bridge construction but there was no
fruitful result. When their genuine request was side-lined for years after
years, at last VFA members were united and felt to address it with their
own effort. The VFA members have taken permission from the local
forest officials for cutting of trees and from Sarpanch for its
construction.
Design and Specification of the Bridge: The bridge has a length of
55 mtr long, 15 ft height and 10 ft wide. It is basically a wooden bridge
being constructed with 48 wooden pillars,551 posts and planks.
Guard wall with cement concrete has been constructed in both the
sides of the bridge that connects to morum road one side Bragmnai pali
and other side Banjhipali. The pillars are from Sal tree whereas
roofing at the top is palm trees.
Community Contribution:
All the 60 VFA members
contributed their shramdan for a period of two months around the
clock. In addition to that 15 VFA members from Banjhipali and 10 VFA
members Sialbahali also contributed their shramdan for construction
of the bridge. Their contribution includes cutting of 554 big and small
trees from their own land, physical laboure, stone and taking approval
from Forest department and Sarpanch. Out of the total cost of Rs 2.81
lakh, community contribution is Rs. 1.31 lakh( 46%) and rest Rs. 1.5

3. ( 53 %) from RF-BIJ support.
Milestones of the Construction
i. 25th February 2014: Visionary Exercise cum Village Awareness
programme and decision to make a bridge in the Banjhinal.
ii. 1st – 20th March 2014: Permission from Ranger, Forester, DFO,
Balangir for cutting of trees from own land.
iii. 25th March 2014: Permission from Sarpanch for construction of
bridge.
iv. 27th March 2014: Revenue Inspector visited the proposed area, for
verification of proposed tree cutting locations and feasibility
study.
v. 1st -7th April 2014: Certificate by RI for cutting of trees from
individual farm land.
vi. 8th -10th April 2014: Cutting of trees by VFA members from
individual land.
vii. 10th April 2014: –Feasibility study by Balangir Team
viii. 14th April 2014:- Foundation stone laying of Wooden Bridge and
construction started.
ix. 25th May 2014:- Visit of Ranger to Bridge construction site
x. 4th June 2014:– Inauguration by Vamsee Krishna Jasti, Dy.
Program Head, RF-BIJ programme and visit of all VFA leaders to
the site.
Role of VFA: Maa Samleswari Krishak Samiti was formed on 3rd May
2012 having 60 member HH including 50 farmer HH and 10 landless
HH. The VFA is headed by two youth Durman Bag( 27 yrs) and Kumar
Nag( 28 yrs). The VFA played a pivotal role in the construction starting
to motivation to completion as per the followings
i. Sensitizing each HH to contribute for the Bridge construction
ii. Taking permission from Forest Department for cutting of Trees.
iii. Taking permission from Sarpanch for construction of wooden bridge
on the river.
iv. Logistic arrangement for the construction
v. Liasoning with RF-BIJ team members
vi. Monitoring and supervision of construction.

4. Conclusion: The wooden bridge has not only ensured the
connectivity in Brahmanipali village after 200 years of its establishment
but also 12 villages of Udar GP in Deogaon block. Now it has become a
centre of attraction in the locality. Apart from addressing connectivity
issues, the bridge was strengthened solidarity and reinforced collective
action among the VFA members that with collective action they can
make their village as an ideal village.
Media Coverage: After one week of the inauguration it was highlighted
in different print and electronic media. Every day media people are
rushing to the site and exploring the factors of success. Media news is
attached as a separate sheet.
Voice of People:
“It was a dream for last three generations which turned to reality today”
……………… Pancha Ghibela( 50 years), Brahmanipali village
“The bridge would be more helpful to women and patients to access
better medical health care from Balangir”
Sukanti Ghibela( 45 years), Brahmanipali village
“It is an inspiration for many VFAs. While contributing laboure we
thought why not to start a similar work in our village Sialabhali”
…………………….Nirakar Meher( 62 years) Sialbahali village
“It is a symbol of bridging relationship between two neighbouring
villages i.e Banjhipali and Brahmanipali”
…………………………………………Santosh Chatria( 32 years) Banjipali

5. The making of Brahmanipali, Balangir wooden bridge
The proposed site to construct a bridge
The decision taken in the VFA GBM The survey began
The survey continue VFA members assemble to start the work
The problem in absence of bridge

6. The bhoomi puja conducted The layout being laid
Digging of the site for base construction Construction of the cemented base
Loading of the wooden pillar Cutting of the wooden pillar to shape
Transport of pillar to the pillar hole Fitting the pillars into the hole

7. Putting the desired number of pillars in the hole Bringing the pillars into shape
Fully completed pillars in position Inter connecting the pillars for extra support
Fitting the clamp & nob Fully completed pillars in position
Filling the upper strips & putting paddy straw Laying of the polythene sheet & soil on it

8. Spreading of soil to cover the top Fully covered top of the bridge
Front view of the nearly completed bridge The completed bridge
Ready for inauguration Walkover on the same
VFA sharing their happiness with RF BIJ staff Public use of the bridge