Naidunia Correspondent, Ambikapur | A bridge in Sukhdevpur village, Pratappur tehsil, Surajpur district, Chhattisgarh, collapsed ahead of the Monsoon's arrival, creating trouble for locals, especially schoolchildren. The broken bridge is no longer just a transportation problem for villagers but a serious challenge to the safety of children.
Children from Bojha, Sukhdevpur, Chandrapur, and surrounding villages cross the Phuljhar River daily during the rains to reach school in Khargawan. The situation is such that many children are being carried across the river by their relatives, while many children are forced to risk their own lives to reach school.
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Heavy Coal Transport Vehicles Damaged The Bridge
According to villagers, heavy coal transport vehicles from SECL continued to pass through the bridge despite its poor condition. The constant movement of heavy vehicles and lack of maintenance damaged the culvert. The bridge completely collapsed even before the monsoons began, cutting off connectivity to several villages. This bridge connects the Ambikapur-Pratappur road to the Ambikapur-Banaras road at Sonagara. Due to the bridge collapse, SECL is forced to transport coal over long distances, but schoolchildren are facing the most difficulties.
Villagers said the lack of a bridge is exacerbating their woes. Parents are forced to ferry their children across the river every morning and evening. Many children are even reluctant to go to school out of fear, disrupting their studies.
After the bridge collapse, SECL began work on constructing an alternative causeway, but villagers alleged that the construction is incomplete. During the rainy season, water flowing over the causeway is proving dangerous for people. There is a fear that children could slip and be swept away into the river.
SECL Ignores Villagers' Interest Despite Promises
Vidyasagar Singh, former president of the Maa Mahamaya Cooperative Sugar Factory and a senior Congress leader, said that SECL had promised to develop roads, bridges, education, health, and other infrastructure when the mine was opened, but later the company ignored the villagers' problems. He alleged that despite extracting coal worth crores of rupees, the bridges and roads haven't even been repaired.
Blockades and Protests Held
The locals said they have held numerous protests, road blockades, and demonstrations demanding the construction of roads and bridges, but each time they have received only assurances. A permanent bridge has not been constructed to date. They demanded that the government, administration, and SECL immediately construct a permanent bridge, ensure safe movement for children, and take action against the responsible officials.