Mainpur School Children: Children have to risk their lives every day to go to school in Gariaband district of Chhattisgarh. Children from Mainpur Block’s pillars and surrounding villages climb the narrow iron ladders mounted on the pillars of the unfinished bridge with school bags on their backs. About 20 feet deep below them flows the Pari river, rushing in the monsoons.

A dangerous road to school over an unfinished bridge

The Pari River, which is normally shallow, has a high flow during monsoons. Meanwhile, children have to climb ladders mounted on the pillars of the unfinished bridge to reach primary, middle and high schools. Here, even a small mistake can cause a serious accident due to protruding iron bars and slippery stairs.

300 meter bridge incomplete for 6 years

Work on the nearly 300-meter-long bridge between Deharguda and Khambatha has been going on for about six years. This place is about five kilometers away from Mainpur taluka headquarters. According to the locals, the villagers including the students are facing a lot of trouble as the bridge is incomplete for a long time.

People injured by protruding rods

Villagers claim that people have been injured in the past due to exposed iron rods in the unfinished bridge. When it rains, the stairs become more slippery and the risk increases manifold as the river level rises.

As children’s videos go viral, the matter is in discussion

The matter has come into discussion after locals made videos of children crossing the river dangerously and shared it on social media. Even about a year ago, the public representatives and the then collector had instructed the officials and contractors to complete the work expeditiously. According to the villagers, the bridge was promised to be completed within six months, but even after the deadline, the work was not completed.

Villagers warn of highway chaos

There is anger among the locals as the work of the bridge is not completed despite repeated representations. The villagers have now warned to hit the highway if the problem is not resolved.

Collector of Gariaband Rahbir Sharma has talked about visiting the place. He said that what arrangements can be made immediately will be reviewed by discussing with officials and villagers. Along with this, the responsibility will also be determined by checking the current condition of the bridge work.