No bridge, risky crossings: Students in Assam's Dhemaji take boats to reach school

In the absence of a permanent bridge, school students in Chengajan Gowala village under Assam’s Jonai constituency are forced to cross the Lali and Budi Sauti rivers by boat to attend classes, with residents raising concerns over the safety of children, particularly during periods of high water levels.

Students and residents said the lack of a permanent crossing has made daily travel to school difficult and risky. The children use small, hand-operated boats to cross the rivers on their way to Chengajan Kaivarta M.E. School.

A student from the village said reaching school becomes particularly difficult when the water level rises.

“It is difficult to get to school from here. When the water level is too high, we cannot go to school. We cross the river through a hand-operated boat,” the student said.

Local resident Chandan Majhi said members of the School Management Committee (SMC), along with villagers, pay particular attention to students travelling to the school because of the recurring risks associated with crossing the rivers.

“This is Chengajan Gowala village. Special attention is paid by our SMC members and villagers to the children studying at Chengajan Kaivarta M.E. School, as an atmosphere of fear prevails here every year,” Majhi said.

According to Majhi, a girl recently died after falling into the river, while several children have allegedly lost their lives in similar incidents in previous years.

“We ferry the children across using small hand-operated boats. There are many children in the village,” he said, appealing to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to treat the issues affecting the area as a priority.

The residents have sought a permanent bridge over the rivers to provide safer and more reliable access to the school and reduce the risks faced by children and other villagers who depend on boat crossings.