Uttarakhand bride treks 18 km in wedding attire to highlight lack of roads

A bride in the Chakrata region of Uttarakhand, identified as Sharmila, was forced to walk 18 kilometers across difficult and uneven terrain in her heavy wedding lehenga to reach her in-laws' home. The journey took place as she traveled from Bulhar hamlet toward Undava, a remote settlement near Dehradun.

During the trek, a video of the journey went viral on social media, showing the bride pleading with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to construct a road for the area. She emphasized that the lack of connectivity causes significant hardship for residents, particularly during important life events and for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, the sick, and expectant mothers seeking medical care.

The community of Undava has reportedly lacked road connectivity for decades, a situation that continues to impact daily life and access to essential services in the mountainous region.