Kids cross swollen river using rope to reach schools
PITHORAGARH: Amid the monsoon season, children in Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh district are risking their lives by crossing a fast-flowing river using a rope to reach their schools on the other side.
These schoolchildren from Gharuri village of Bangapani sub-division have no other option but to use the makeshift trolley hung on the rope to cross river Gori, after the under-construction bridge was washed away in last year’s flash-flood.
“After schools were opened earlier this month, our children are having to reach schools in Bangapani and Baram towns crossing the swollen river.
“They use this temporary trolley hung on the rope. We know this is very dangerous but we have no other option,” said Harish Singh, a resident of Gharuri village. Singh said after the under-construction bridge and permanent trolley over the river were washed away in the floods last year, the students had to use this temporary trolley.
“This makeshift trolley is not safe and we continue to be worried till our children reach home,” said Ganesh Singh, another villager.
Dharchula MLA, Harish Dhami, said he had long been demanding construction of a permanent bridge at Gharuri. “The state government should take this matter seriously or else some untoward incident might take place,” said Dhami.
Vineeta, a Class 9 student, said they have to take the risk their lives if they want to go to school. “The other option is crossing the river by wading through it which is more dangerous. So, we are using this temporary trolley,” she said.
District magistrate, Pithoragarh, Ashish Chauhan said he has been apprised of the seriousness of the situation.
“I have ordered PRD (Prantiya Rakshi Dal) jawans to stand guard at both ends of the trolley for the safety of the students. We are also considering to arrange classes for students in their respective villages till the bridge or permanent trolley is constructed,” said Chauhan.
In a similar scenario, students from Bageshwar cross Ramganga river to reach their college in Pithoragarh in absence of a bridge over the river. “Due to lack of bridge, many students from Kalchaura, Kabhari, Kheti, Kurmila Bhaluri and Chetabagar villages in Bageshwar reach their college in Pithoragarh by crossing the swollen Ramganga,” said Dhami.