Students in Punjab village lose access to school 2 years after govt promised them a bridge along Sutlej
For the past one week, at least 12 children from Kaluwala – an island village surrounded by the Sutlej River on three sides and the international border with Pakistan on the fourth – have been getting dressed every morning before heading to their high school in the neighbouring Gatti Rajoke village across the river.
However, as they reach the banks and try to pull the rickety wooden boat, locally known as a berhi, using an overhead rope, it fails to budge as the river is choked with a dense growth of hyacinth that the villagers refer to as jungli booti.
Villagers said the children have been sitting at home for a week now. Besides these 12 children who study in high school, the primary school in Kaluwala, which has around 30 students, has also become non-functional as its lone teacher has been unable to reach the village via boat.
In 2022, The Indian Express had reported how two girls from Kaluwala travelled to their high school in Gatti Rajoke by pulling a rickety boat through the waters of the Sutlej, the sole mode of transport for the villagers to reach the other side.
Following the report, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued a notice to the Punjab Government over the 'lack of proper education facilities for children in the Sutlej surrounded border areas' and subsequently, a probe committee constituted at the district-level recommended setting up a 'pontoon bridge' for the students.
In 2023, Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains took a boat to the primary school in Kaluwala and announced that a bridge would be built at a cost of Rs 53 crore. However, this is yet to materialise due to several issues such as 'security concerns along the international border' and permissions required from the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Centre.
Kala Singh, a villager, said such dense growth of hyacinth is being seen in the river after a gap of many years, and despite efforts, the boat is unable to make its way through it. 'Children reach the river bank every morning with the hope that they will be able to pull it through, but this year the vegetative growth is just too dense. Seven of the 12 children who go to school in Gatti Rajoke are girls,' he said.
'Even in our own village, no teacher is coming to teach primary school children due to the same issue. The school in our village does not even have a permanent teacher. Teachers hesitate when it comes to being posted here as they fear that crossing the river could be dangerous,' Singh said.
Worried over their children losing access to school, the villagers have written a fresh letter to authorities reiterating their demand for a bridge. The letter to the deputy commissioner states: 'Our children are unable to reach school and if someone gets unwell in the night, it becomes impossible to take them to hospital via boat. Currently, the river is choked with jungli booti (hyacinth) and children are unable to reach Gatti Rajoke school.'
'There's always the lurking danger of an accident while crossing the river using a boat. If a permanent bridge cannot be built, please see that a temporary one is set up, at least for children to reach the school,' they requested.
Reacting to the letter, Deepshika Sharma, Deputy Commissioner, Ferozepur, said: 'I had a meeting on the issue with officials from the irrigation and drainage departments, and the BSF. However, they said the hyacinth roots are too dense this time and cannot be removed using JCB, etc.'
'They will clear out on their own when the water flow in the Sutlej increases. That will happen only when the monsoon is at its peak and water is released from upstream. Till then, we are trying to find some temporary solution for the children to reach school. If nothing works out, we will arrange online classes,' she assured.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
an hour ago
- Business Standard
Modi govt plans to invest ₹5,000 cr to develop Northeast waterways: Sonowal
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday announced multiple initiatives by the government to boost the waterways and maritime sector in the region. "With an investment of Rs 5,000 crore earmarked, the Union Government has drawn up major initiatives in this regard," Sarbananda Sonowal said. He said that, over the past 11 years, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) has transformed India's maritime sector with record growth in cargo handling, capacity and coastal shipping. Major ports have nearly doubled their capacity, cruise tourism is rising with ambitious new terminals, and 50,000 youth from the Northeast will be trained for maritime jobs. "Key legislative and digital reforms, green shipping initiatives, and projects like the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project are strengthening regional connectivity and trade. India's ports are now globally competitive, with nine ranking in the World Bank's top 100, and Visakhapatnam Port reaching the top 20," Sonowal said. Addressing a press conference in Guwahati Sarbananda Sonowal said, "Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we have revitalised India's maritime sector as never before. From historic growth in port capacity and cargo handling to pioneering green shipping, cruise tourism and skill development for our youth -- these achievements reflect the Modi government's unwavering commitment to make India a global maritime powerhouse and drive inclusive development across every coastal and riverine region." At the press conference, the Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said the government aims to train 50,000 youth from the region in maritime skills over the next decade, offering them assured employment opportunities in the growing sector. "The Maritime Skill Development Centre (MSDC) in Guwahati as well as the upcoming Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Dibrugarh aims to power this transformation. The CoE will be developed with an investment of Rs 200 crore. Both the centres are likely to produce 500 jobs annually," he said. Sonowal said, "PM Modi has always envisioned how Yuva Shakti can bring about real transformation in the country. Our vision is to train, enable and empower 50,000 youth from the Northeast with world-class maritime skills over the next decade, ensuring meaningful employment & growth. Our centres in Guwahati and Dibrugarh will be the backbone of this transformation." He said that the Ministry has undertaken projects worth Rs 1,000 crore in the Northeast's inland waterways sector over the past two years, with Rs 300 crore works completed and Rs 700 crore slated for completion by 2025. "Major initiatives include permanent cargo terminals at Pandu, Jogighopa, Dhubri, Bogibeel, Karimganj and Badarpur; year-round fairway dredging; a new approach road to Pandu Port; heritage restoration in Dibrugarh; tourist jetties worth Rs 299 crore; skill development centres at Guwahati and Dibrugarh; and plans for lighthouses at Bogibeel, Biswanath Ghat, Silghat and Pandu. Feasibility studies has been completed and found feasible for operation in Guwahati, Tezpur and Dibrugarh, and cruise vessels are being procured under central schemes. For Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura, the efforts are on to expand IWT infrastructure and promote water-based tourism. The operationalisation of Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route (IBPR) offers new trade routes bypassing the Siliguri Corridor, strengthening regional connectivity and aligning with the broader vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat," Sonowal said. Responding to a query on the status of Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP), Sarbananda Sonowal said that Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project is the result of India Myanmar Friendship Treaty. "This is a strategic initiative to enhance connectivity between India's Northeast and Myanmar -- is set to be fully operational by 2027. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Northeast stands at the heart of the Bharat's development agenda. Empowered by Modi ji's transformative 'Act East' policy, this once landlocked region is now poised for direct and shorter access to international sea routes. The swift execution of the Sittwe Port in Myanmar is a testament to this commitment. Once fully operational, the region will unlock new trade opportunities not just for Northeast India, but also for Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Myanmar by connecting them with Southeast Asia. This milestone truly embodies Modi ji's guiding philosophy of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' -- collective effort for inclusive growth," he said. He said that from Paletwa in Myanmar to Zorinpui in Mizoram, the Sittwe port connects to Paletwa in Myanmar through an inland waterway and from Paletwa to Zorinpui in Mizoram through a road component. "From Sittwe, Myanmar to Sarboom, Tripura, goods from Kolkata to Sittwe Port can be shipped to Teknaf Port, Bangladesh which is just 60 nautical miles of Sittwe. From Teknaf Port goods can be transported by road to Sabroom which is 300 km away. Sabroom has an Integrated customs border between Bangladesh and Tripura. Sittwe port and the Kaladan Project will immensely benefit Tripura by way of significant reduction in transportation time and logistics cost. Major cargo for export for Sittwe Port; i.e. exports from Myanmar include Rice, Timber, Fish and seafood, Petroleum products and Garments and textiles. The major cargo for import for Sittwe Port; i.e. imports by Myanmar, include construction materials such as cement, steel and bricks among others," Sonowal said. He further said that, other key initiatives include the deployment of 100 barges operated by a global major on NW2 & 16 by 2025, intended to significantly enhance cargo movement across Assam and neighbouring states. "To ensure round-the-year navigability, the ministry plans to deploy 10 amphibian and cutter section dredgers, backed by an investment of Rs 610 crore," he said. Sonowal also announced plans to develop 85 community jetties across the Northeast to improve local connectivity. Speaking on this, Sonowal said, "To unlock the true economic potential of the Brahmaputra and Barak rivers, we are investing Rs 610 crore to deploy 10 state-of-the-art dredgers, ensuring all-weather navigability. This will transform cargo movement, create new trade routes, and strengthen economic linkages across Assam and the entire Northeast. By combining this with 100 modern barges by global logistics major from Germany, Rhenus, and 85 community jetties, we aim to build an integrated and sustainable waterways network that empowers local communities and drives growth." Highlighting efforts to support tourism and regional trade, Sarbananda Sonowal shared that Rs 300 crore will be invested to build new tourism and cargo jetties at Silghat, Neamati, Biswanath Ghat and Guijan. In a major move toward modern urban transport, Water Metro projects are planned in Guwahati, Tezpur and Dibrugarh, with feasibility studies already completed. "The government will also set up lighthouses at Pandu, Tezpur, Biswanath & Bogibeel, each equipped with IMD centres, with support from the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Govt of India, to provide accurate local weather forecasts. These projects reflect our commitment to transform the Northeast into a major hub of waterways-based trade, tourism and employment, aligned with PM Narendra Modi's vision of inclusive development," Sarbananda Sonowal said.
Hans India
an hour ago
- Hans India
CM resolves 10k grievances in 11 sessions
Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has resolved more than 10,000 public grievances during 11 rounds of hearings since assuming office, the CMO said on Monday. According to a statement from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), 10,132 out of 10,894 grievances received so far have been addressed — a resolution rate of 93 per cent. The remaining cases are currently under process, it added. Accompanied by a team of seven ministers and senior officers, Majhi on Monday held the 12th session of the Chief Minister's Public Grievance Hearing since assuming office in June last year. The Chief Minister and his team heard grievances of around 1,000 people during the day, the statement said. Continuing his practice, the Chief Minister first met and heard the grievances of persons with disabilities (PwDs) before proceeding to listen to other petitioners in the chamber. 'The Chief Minister directed department secretaries present at the hearing to take immediate steps to resolve the issues raised,' the CMO stated. A single-window mechanism has been established to ensure immediate disbursement of medical assistance to patients suffering from critical and life-threatening diseases, under the Chief Minister's Relief Fund (CMRF). Majhi approved Rs 9.50 lakh in assistance for 10 persons requiring urgent medical care. So far this year, Rs 53.50 lakh has been provided to 48 beneficiaries through this streamlined process. Ministers Suresh Pujari, Mukesh Mahaling, Bibhuti Bhusan Jena, Nityananda Gond, Krushna Chandra Patra, Pradeep Bal Samanta and Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia accompanied Majhi during the session. In May, the Chief Minister had stated in a post on X that, 'In a people's government, the highest priority is given to resolving people's problems. The complaints of common people were heard at the new grievance centre at Unit-2 in Bhubaneswar. Officials have been directed to take immediate steps to resolve their problems for the benefit of the complainants.'
Hans India
an hour ago
- Hans India
Cong govt solely responsible for failing to secure Finance Commission funds: BJP MLC
Hyderabad: BJP leader and MLC Anji Reddy stated that his party strongly condemns the remarks made by State Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, who claimed that the Central Government has not provided any assistance to Telangana. During a joint media conference on Monday, alongside former MLA Prem Singh Rathod and party state spokespersons Rani Rudrama and Sunitha Reddy, Anji Reddy highlighted that since 2014, the Central Government has sanctioned Rs 12 lakh crore for the development of Telangana. Union Minister Kishan Reddy presented a PowerPoint detailing the funds, development works, and projects in Telangana supported by the Center. He emphasized that although the Center has approved funds for various development projects, many initiatives have stalled due to the state government's failure to provide matching grant funds. He noted that while 2,500 km of national highways were constructed in Telangana during the UPA regime, the Modi government has built 2,600 km of national highways in just ten years. Additionally, the Center has connected 32 out of 33 districts in Telangana with national highways. As part of the Amrut Station Scheme, 40 railway stations in the state are undergoing modernization. The upgrades for Begumpet, Warangal, and Karimnagar stations have been completed and inaugurated. Development work at Kacheguda and Cherlapalli railway stations is ongoing, with plans to meet international standards. A budget of Rs 428 crore has been allocated for Cherlapalli, Rs 715 crore for Secunderabad, and Rs 421.66 crore for Kacheguda railway stations. The MLC criticized Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy for making more than 40 trips to Delhi, asserting that these visits are aimed at protecting his position as CM rather than fostering the state's development. Anji Reddy explained that the Center releases funds following the recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission. These funds are distributed to states only if they conduct Panchayat, Mandal, and Zilla Parishad elections. He pointed out that the Congress government has not held local body elections in the state, which has halted the flow of Finance Commission funds to Telangana. He recalled that the State Court had reprimanded the state government for this failure and ordered that elections be held within three months; however, the government has not responded to this directive. Anji Reddy also noted that under the Pradhan Mantri Sadak Yojana, the Center has constructed 14,560 kilometers of new roads in Telangana. He disputed Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's claim that the state treasury is empty, asserting that the ongoing development in Telangana is primarily due to Central Government initiatives. Furthermore, he criticized the Endowment Department for failing to protect the temples in the state. He stated, 'In many instances, temple management is being handled by in-charge Executive Officers. The lands belonging to temples must be safeguarded, and temples in dilapidated condition should be renovated.' He recalled that, according to a Supreme Court ruling, temples with an income of less than Rs 5 lakh have been exempted from the purview of the Endowment Department. He demanded that the state government implement the Apex Court's orders immediately.
