Erasama: For students of Japa panchayat of this block in Jagtasinghpur district, risking their lives to reach school is a regular affair, thanks to the apathy of the administration.
With no source of communication, the students here have to cross the 100-metre wide Hanshua River that crosses through the village.
Home to around 400 families, Japa panchayat is one of the most neglected panchayat in the block. Comprising of villages like Dahibar, Kholap and Jhatipari, the panchayat is surrounded by a sea that has cut it from the rest of the world.
The word ‘development’ seems to be alien to the residents here as the villages lack all the basic facilities including a motorable road, drinking water and anganwadi centre.
Worst, there is not even a primary school in the panchayat. Over 70 students from the panchayat are forced to cross the Hanshua river everyday to reach the Ambiki High School in the neighbouring panchayat, situated on the other side of the river, which runs through the three villages and meets at Jatadhara mouth.
The students go to school in the morning and return at 4 PM. Sometimes the boat, which is devoid of life jackets and other safety apparatus, carries students beyond its capacity. Along with the students, locals and some owners of prawn gheries also travel on the boat with their cycles and bikes.
While the river is full of water all the year round, in rainy season it is in full spate, putting the lives on harm’s way.
Some students alleged that they are forced to take the dangerous boat ride as they do not have school in their panchayat.
“Though the villagers and representatives have taken the matter up with the administration on several occasions demanding a bridge on the river, nothing has been done so far,” they said.
Fearing any mishap in the river, locals have demanded immediate steps to alleviate students’ problem.
PNN
