Hundreds of students are forced to cross rivers such as Nagavali, Vamsadhara and Bahuda to reach school every day as many villages are not connected with bus facility. They have to risk their lives during rainy season when the rivers receive huge inflows from upstream areas.
Nagavali and Vamsadhara flow over 70 km in the district and Bahuda covers around 26 km in Odisha border areas such Itchapuram. There are only few bridges for the villages to have connectivity with nearby towns.
The students, particularly girls, are forced to change uniforms after crossing the river as they cannot go with wet dresses. Carrying books, cycles and extra dresses in the river has become a Herculean task for them.
The problems are more for the students of Koligam of Itchapuram as crossing the river Bahuda is dangerous even on normal days. The same is the case with Akkuvalasa of Polaki mandal where Vamsadhara meanders to the nearby major town Narasannapeta.
Children of various villages walk every day in the river Nagavali near Srikakulam Collector’s camp office due to the inordinate delay in construction of a bridge between Ponnada and Collectorate.
“Many of us have to start early since walking in the wet sand in the river takes longer time. Some more time is needed to change dresses when river flow is more,” said B. Yamuna, a student of Intermediate first year.
Another Intermediate student K. Delliswari said that they were travelling over 22 km to reach Srikakulam from Ponnada, Bontalakoduru, Kongaram and in other routes when the river flow is more. “We requested the government in vain to operate a bus from our villages. That is why we are crossing Nagavali river to study,” said A. Suryanarayana, a first-year degree student.
Besides, many workers and villagers wade through the river to reach Srikakulam even in odd hours. Boat facility is available at a few places but villagers of other areas have to travel around 22-25 km to reach the district headquarters.
Demolition of the old bridge and delay in construction of new bridge has become a major grievance for over 20,000 people living in Gujaratipeta and other areas.
Srikakulam District Sarpanches’ Association president Rokkam Suryaprakasha Rao urged the government to provide bus facility wherever it is possible. “Boats should be operated by expert boats-men so that students need not risk their lives for the sake of studies,” he added.
A senior official said that students and others would not face difficulties after completion of Ponnada and Gujarati bridges. “Due to rainy seasons, the works are not going briskly. Contractors will be directed to resume works once weather is clear,” he added.
