When rising waters separated villages, people built their own way forward
The Ghatal block of Paschim Medinipur district in West Bengal is known for its fertile plains and for its annual floods. Every monsoon, when the Shilabati River swells, the surrounding low-lying villages like Prasadchak, Radhaballabhpur, Jaykrishnapur, Shimulia, and Aimaprasadchak find themselves cut off from the other side, where villages such as Kaliachak, Hetampur, and Maheshpur lie.
With roads submerged and bridges impassable, daily life came to a standstill. Children couldn’t reach schools, farmers couldn’t access markets, and medical needs meant long, dangerous detours.
A bridge built by the people, for the people
In collaboration with Iswarchandra Memorial Educational Society and Goonj, a community meeting was held where the residents of Prasadchak decided to take matters into their own hands. Under Goonj’s Cloth for Work initiative, over 70 villagers joined hands pooling their labour and locally sourced bamboo.
Together, they constructed a sturdy bamboo bridge connecting both sides of the Shilabati river.
The bridge now connects communities to markets, schools, and healthcare, bringing back mobility and ease to daily life.
Villagers constructing bamboo bridge over Shilabati River
Beyond infrastructure – a bridge of dignity and determination
This bamboo bridge is more than a means to cross the river—it stands as a symbol of resilience and community-led innovation. By contributing materials, time, and skill, villagers demonstrated how local wisdom and collective strength can solve even the most persistent challenges.
What emerged wasn’t just a structure, but a reminder that when people come together with purpose, they can bridge not only rivers—but divides of isolation and dependency.
Completed bamboo bridge reconnecting Prasadchak villages
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