Sans bridge, students risk lives to reach school by crossing swelling river in Gajapati

Ghodahada river near the village is overflowing due to the incessant rainfall for the last few days. Without a bridge over the river, the village has been completely cut-off from the mainland.

Students cross swelling river in Gajapati

Students cross swelling river in Gajapati

time

Due to the absence of a bridge, children at Badapur village under R Udayagiri block in Gajapati district are forced to risk their lives to cross a river, which is now in spate, to reach school.

As per reports, Ghodahada river near the village is overflowing due to the incessant rainfall for the last few days. Without a bridge over the river, the village has been completely cut-off from the mainland.

Many people are stranded in the village due to the waterlogging caused by heavy rain. As a result, the children are forced to attend school by swimming across the flooded river in a dangerous manner. Even the villagers were found transporting the bike of teachers amid the overflowing river.

This is a regular feature in the village every year during the rainy season. Though the local people had requested the administration to construct a bridge over the river several times, it has fallen on deaf ears.

“We are aware of the problems of the villagers. A bridge is essential over the river for their communication. I have informed about the problem of the villagers to the higher authorities several times. However, they are not giving any importance to it. I will inform the Collector about the issue soon and hopefully, funds will be sanctioned for the construction of the bridge,” said R Udayagiri BDO Lariman Kharsel.

 

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