Children cross the river to go to school, demand for bridge on Koyna intensifies

Jharkhand News : In a heartbreaking situation from the naxal-affected Saranda forest region, children from Lembra village under Gangda Panchayat are forced to cross the dangerous Koyna River on foot every day just to attend school. With no bridge, boat, or safe passage in place, these children face a life-threatening challenge instead of a routine journey for education.

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Due to continuous rains, the Koyna River is swollen and flows dangerously fast. Villagers describe how, every monsoon, the village turns into a virtual island. The situation worsens when pregnant women, ill patients, and the elderly cannot access hospitals or basic services. Even ration supplies remain cut off for weeks at a time.

According to locals, a bridge proposal was surveyed years ago during former MP Geeta Koda’s tenure, but it still lies pending in government files. Former District Councilor Shambhu Paswan criticized the government’s apathy, holding MP Joba Majhi and MLA Sonaram Sinku responsible for ignoring repeated demands.

“We’ve asked so many times for a bridge, but all we get are false promises. The children of this village cross a death trap every day,” Paswan added.

Villagers are now demanding immediate intervention from the state government and the district administration. Until the bridge is constructed, they urge authorities to provide:

• Safe boats for school transport

  

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• Emergency medical camps

• Temporary relief centers during the monsoon

• Alternate transportation arrangements for the safety of villagers

The issue is not merely about infrastructure but about education, health, and the fundamental right to live safely. The silence of the authorities has turned Lembra village into a symbol of neglect. Children should not have to choose between life and learning.

Activists and local leaders have warned that unless urgent steps are taken, a preventable tragedy is only a matter of time. The story of Lembra is a wake-up call for policymakers to prioritize real development over paperwork.