Broken bridge, the daily route for these children

Kokkada: Though it is a small stream, it flows throughout the year. It is also the lifeline for the farmers. But, the bridge that was built across for the second time has broken compelling the children to cross the precarious bridge en-route to the school.

The children of Kugrama Shishila in Anchana of Belthangady taluk have to travel at least 2 kms to reach their primary school. If they must pursue high school, they must travel 12kms to Arasinamakki. For college, they have to travel to Nelyadi/Ujire which is at a distance of 35kms. There exist extremely few buses that ply thorough here. When struck by a disease, they have to depend on private vehicles. The electricity and telephone network here is good-for-nothing.

Farmer families

There are more that 100 farmer families residing in Otla, Devasa, Guttu and Kotebagilu regions in Shishila village. Many depend solely on day wage labour for their existence. During the monsoon season, the families are equally happy and terrified of the rains. The reason for this is the stream that flows here. It is not possible to cross the stream since it flows throughout the year through the deep ravine.

Therefore, under the grants of the GP, a footbridge had been built her eight years back. This bridge is the support for students, patients visiting hospitals, day wage laborers and for cultivators. But, during the previous monsoon, the bridge broke. Once before, a similar bridge ended up in a similar state. Along with this, a landside on another part of this stream has given scope even more feeling of terror amongst the residents here.

Come now

“People representatives; do not come to speak words of comfort! If you have to come, come now. Daily, more than 20 children go to school through this bridge. Either repair the bridge or else build a new one,” demands Ramesh V. Bangera, a Otla resident.

Only received assurances

The residents have attracted the attention of the representatives of the people to repair this bridge or construct a new bridge of superior quality. They have also received assurances of the bridge being repaired. But, even after passing of a year, the bridge has remained as it is. This rainy season, it will become even more dangerous. Not just the adults, but the lives of more than 20 children who cross this bridge daily en-route to the school are at stake here.