Rajiv Gandhi laid foundation in 1984, now locals ask Kumar Vishwas to bridge the gap

AMETHI: Locals today turned to AAP's Amethi candidate Kumar Vishwas for completion of a bridge over the Sai river whose foundation was laid in 1984 by then sitting MP and Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

A group of villagers of Khamaria in Kushal ka Purwa of Rae Bareli district today appealed to Vishwas when he was campaigning there to complete the bridge which, they claimed, will benefit the residents of around 20 neighbouring villages including Baradih, Binda Gaon and Gorwa.

The villages fall under Salon Assembly segment of Amethi parliamentary constituency, which is at present represented by Rajiv's son and Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi. Rahul has been representing the seat since 2004 when her mother Sonia vacated the seat for him and moved to neighbouring Rae Bareli constituency.

The villagers said without the bridge they have to cover a distance of above 30 kms to reach Parshadepur block headquarters from their village.

The bridge will bring down the distance between the village and Parshadepur to only six kms, said Rajiv Jha, a Khamaria resident.

He said since the foundation stone was laid by Rajiv Gandhi, no leader took any initiative to complete the bridge.

Vishwas assured the people to take up the work if he is elected. "If I am voted to power to lead Amethi as MP, the construction of this bridge will be a priority," he said.