In an age where bridges are often named after politicians or powerful figures, one bridge in West Bengal stands apart — the Lalchand Bridge, named not after a leader, but after a humble boatman who turned compassion into concrete action.
Sheikh Lalchand, a 48-year-old boatman from Kulla village in Howrah district, spent years ferrying villagers across the Mundeswari River. For students, the elderly, and expectant mothers, his small wooden boat was their only connection to schools, hospitals, and markets. But every monsoon, when the river swelled and currents turned dangerous, that lifeline became a risk to life itself.
Tired of waiting for government promises that never came, Lalchand decided to act. With no savings to fall back on, he sold his wife’s jewellery worth ₹3 lakh, borrowed money from friends, and hired 16 local workers. Together, they collected 3,500 bamboo poles and began building a bridge — one that would change the destiny of his village.
For 28 relentless days, Lalchand worked through doubt, mockery, and exhaustion. And when the bamboo bridge finally rose in 2014, it wasn’t just a structure over water — it was a bridge built on courage, hope, and selflessness.
Today, over 2,000 villagers use it daily, paying a small toll to keep it running: ₹2 for pedestrians, ₹5 for two-wheelers, ₹50 for Tata Magic vans, and ₹100 for Maruti vans. The funds sustain six maintenance workers, and four CCTV cameras ensure safety and order around the clock.
Though the bridge cost him part of his livelihood as a boatman, Lalchand never looked back. His next dream is to build a permanent concrete bridge, even if it means earning less himself.
“It was never about money. I just wanted people to cross safely,” he says simply.
Sheikh Lalchand’s story is a testament to what one person’s determination can achieve. When systems fail, ordinary citizens often rise — and sometimes, it takes just one man with a big heart to bridge an entire community together.