Life on a Tightrope: Pilibhit Students Risk Everything to Reach School
Schoolchildren in Pilibhit's Mawaiya village must balance on electricity poles to cross a deep trench due to incomplete road work.
In a harrowing display of desperation and neglect, schoolchildren in the Mawaiya village of Pilibhit are forced to play a deadly game of balance every single day. To reach their classrooms at LKT International School, these young students must navigate a perilous makeshift bridge constructed from cemented electricity poles, spanning a treacherous seven-foot-deep trench.
A Daily Walk of Terror
For the students of Mawaiya, the journey to education is not just about books and lessons; it is a physical struggle for survival. The makeshift crossing is the only available path for those traveling the three-kilometer distance to their school. A video of this dangerous crossing has recently gone viral on social media, sparking outrage over the blatant disregard for children's safety.
The "bridge" consists of narrow electricity poles laid across a deep gap. One wrong step or a momentary slip could result in a fall into the seven-foot trench, leading to severe injuries or worse. Residents describe the scene as a ticking time bomb, fearing that the unstable structure could collapse at any moment under the weight of the children.
The Cost of Incompletion
The irony of the situation lies in the fact that a formal solution is already underway—or should be. The Public Works Department (PWD) is currently overseeing the construction of a two-kilometer road intended to connect Mawaiya to Rampur Amrit village.
Project Details:
- Estimated Cost: 8.5 million rupees.
- Contractor: The project was awarded to a contractor named Ramnaresh.
- Timeline: Work commenced in May with a scheduled completion window of nine months.
Despite the significant budget and the clear necessity of the road, the project remains incomplete. More alarmingly, the authorities and the contractor have failed to provide any alternative route for the villagers and students while the construction is ongoing.
Villagers Voice Outrage
The local community is living in a state of constant anxiety. Villagers have expressed severe concern, noting that the lack of a safe passage has left them with no choice but to use the dangerous poles. They argue that the administration's failure to secure a temporary, safe crossing during the roadwork is an act of gross negligence.
"With the bridge construction unfinished and no other access path available, we and our children have been forced to balance on the electricity poles to cross the gap," reported the distressed residents.
As the children continue to risk their lives daily, the people of Mawaiya are left wondering if it will take a major tragedy before the authorities prioritize the safety of the youngest citizens of Pilibhit.