Jharigaon: With Balajhari village on one side and Miradhanguda, Ramsa and Baghaguda villages on the other, Naramunda nullah under Jharigaon block in Nabarangpur district strikes fear among the students of both sides who have to it to reach their schools.
The fear is even more evident during these rainy days.
Ramsa village has an upper primary school and Belajhari village has a primary school. About 10 children of Belajhari village have to go to the school in Ramsa village wading through the nullah and similarly another 10 children from Miradhanguda, Ramsa and Baghaguda villages come to the school in Belajhari village experiencing the same plight.
It has been a part of routine for about 20 children to cross the rivulet putting their lives at risk. During rainy season, the path through the nullah becomes so treacherous and slippery that an old woman was washed away in it while returning home from market few years ago, locals said.
Given the conditions, neither do the students wish to take classes nor are their parents eager in sending them to schools.
The block administration is constructing a bridge over the Naramunda at an estimated cost of Rs 20 lakh. The work under MGNREGS started in 2018-19. However, the construction work has been stopped mid-way owing to rainy season.
When contacted, block education officer Debendra Bahadur Singh said the administration will consider taking necessary steps to see how the students can safely use the road by the bridge.
PNN