Villagers carry children across river in Sundargarh as bridge missing
Villagers in Sundargarh’s Telendihi carry children on their shoulders across the swollen Chaturdhara river to attend school due to the absence of a bridge.
Villagers of Telendihi in Sundargarh district are carrying children on their shoulders across the swollen Chaturdhara river to reach schools on the opposite bank, as no bridge connects the two sides. During monsoon, the river becomes chest‑deep, forcing residents to risk their lives for education, work and medical needs. A bridge proposal submitted by the block development officer awaits approval from district authorities under the District Mineral Fund. Officials say they will take up the matter urgently.
Why is there no bridge?
Block development officer Reena Naik says she had already sent a proposal for the bridge. “I forwarded the proposal to the chief development officer, Sundargarh, for construction from DMF funds, but it is yet to be approved,” she says. The proposal has been pending for some time, despite repeated calls from the community. Villagers have been demanding a bridge at different forums for years, but nothing has materialised. Trilochan Rana, whose daughter studies in a private school on the far bank, explains the frustration: “We have been demanding a bridge at different forums for years, but nothing has happened. During the rainy season, our children often miss classes because of the swollen river. Sometimes we carry them on our shoulders to cross the river and drop them at school.” The lack of a crossing has turned a routine journey into a hazardous ordeal each monsoon.
What are the risks faced by villagers?
Not just for education, villagers risk their lives every day crossing the swollen Chaturdhara river during monsoon for work and medical needs as well, in the absence of a bridge. Critically ill patients and pregnant women are ferried across on cots. The river separates Naktideula and Telendihi villages under Gopalpur panchayat, and with no bridge residents wade through chest‑deep water to reach the other side, where government and private schools, as well as a college, are located. The students of Telendihi village at Hemgir block in Sundargarh district have either been missing classes amid heavy rain or, when it isn’t raining, their fathers and relatives carry them on their shoulders to cross a swollen Chaturdhara river, so that they can at least attend schools located on the other side. Some parents even leave their children with relatives on the other side during the rainy season to ensure uninterrupted schooling. These daily gambles expose families to strong currents, slippery banks and the ever‑present danger of being swept away.
What steps have officials taken?
Chief development officer‑cum‑executive officer Suranjan Sahoo says he will take up this matter on an urgent basis. He has acknowledged the pending bridge proposal and assured that the issue will be examined promptly. BDO Reena Naik reiterated that she forwarded the proposal to the chief development officer for construction from DMF funds, but it is yet to receive approval. Officials from the district administration have acknowledged the community’s long‑standing demand and have indicated that the proposal will be processed as soon as possible, though no timeline has been provided.
Why are villagers carrying children across the river?
Because there is no bridge and the river is swollen during monsoon, forcing residents to cross on foot to reach schools on the opposite bank.
Where is Telendihi village located?
Telendihi village is in Hemgir block, Sundargarh district, Odisha.
What risks do villagers face while crossing the river?
They face chest‑deep water, risk to life, missed classes for children, and the need to ferry critically ill patients and pregnant women on cots.
What action has the block development officer taken regarding a bridge?
She forwarded a proposal for bridge construction using DMF funds to the chief development officer, but the proposal is still awaiting approval.
What has the chief development officer said about the bridge proposal?
He said he will take up the matter on an urgent basis.
Are children missing classes due to the river?
Yes, they either miss classes amid heavy rain or are carried across when it is not raining to attend school.
Besides schooling, what other purposes require crossing the river?
Villagers also cross the river for work and medical needs during the monsoon.
How are critically ill patients and pregnant women transported across the river?
They are ferried across the river on cots.
Ansuya Minz
Senior District Correspondent, Sundargarh
Ansuya Minz has covered Sundargarh district for six years, reporting on the steel belt's industry, tribal welfare policy, and the Rourkela sports ecosystem. She is based in Rourkela.
View all articles by Ansuya →
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