Saltora: A narrow, feeble bamboo bridge over the Damodar is the sole lifeline for thousands from 50-odd villages in Bankura's Saltora block who have to take it to go to Asansol each day for work, treatment or even shopping.

Despite several demands for a concrete bridge over the 1km stretch over the Damodar, nothing has been done. The bamboo bridge built by a local panchayat collapses almost every monsoon.

A few days ago, the villagers went on a hunger strike demanding a concrete bridge. They withdrew the agitation after the administration promised to inform the state government about the demand.

Asansol and Burnpur are the nearest towns with hospitals, schools, markets and factories - key to the lives of the people from Saltora.

Hundreds commute each day to the two towns to work in factories and for treatment at the Asansol District Hospital and several private healthcare units. Many students also go to Asansol for studies.

The district headquarters in Bankura town is around 100km from Saltora and few are ready for the 90-minute drive.

"We risk our lives daily, because we have no alternative. The detour will involve travelling an extra 40km. Crossing this bridge, the journey is of 12-13km," said Dhiren Ruidas, a labourer at a private factory in Burnpur.

Ruidas, from the Chandbad village in Saltora, crosses the bridge at least twice daily.

"The situation worsens during the monsoon when the bridge collapses. Then we have to travel 50-55km just to get to Burnpur," he added.

Ambulances cannot take the bridge and the detour involves wasting a lot of time.

The local Shalma gram panchayat has had the bamboo bridge constructed through tenders. It has been leased out to an operator who collects a toll - Rs 20 per motorcycle and Rs 10 per bicycle for a round trip - from those using the bridge.

Bankura zilla parishad chief Arup Chakraborty said a concrete bridge would require hundreds of crores, which cannot be allotted by rural bodies. "We will send a proposal to the government."