Incessant rainfall across the Chitrakoot district has sent rivers and streams into spate, severely disrupting daily life in rural areas. Widespread waterlogging and ruined connecting roads have compounded the hardships faced by residents. A striking example of this infrastructure failure comes from Bandri Purwa, a hamlet under Gram Panchayat Rukhma Khurd in the Manikpur development block, where heavy downpours have triggered immense distress.
Bridge Washed Away Two Years Ago Leaves Route Blocked
The critical bridge connecting the village to the main thoroughfare was swept away during heavy monsoon rains roughly two years ago. Because the bridge has never been rebuilt, rainwater floods the entire pathway during every wet spell, leaving villagers with no alternative route for their daily commute.
School Children Face Severe Hardships Daily
The waterlogging hits school-going children the hardest. Local residents Munna, Bachchi Lal, and Govind, among others, explained that children must wade through knee-deep water just to attend school. The slippery, waterlogged conditions frequently cause children to fall, resulting in minor injuries, while soaking their school bags, books, and notebooks beyond use.
Repeated Complaints To Authorities Go Unheeded
Villagers noted that the connecting route to Bandri Purwa has been in a dilapidated state for a long time. Ever since the bridge collapsed two years back, residents have repeatedly approached the concerned authorities regarding the road and bridge crisis, yet no effective steps have been taken to resolve the issue.
Unique Protest Launched In Waterlogged Street
Frustrated by years of official apathy, villagers and school children staged an unusual demonstration today. They gathered directly at the waterlogged stretch, where the school children sat down right in the middle of the flooded road to study, aiming to draw attention to their longstanding infrastructure demands and urge the reconstruction of the collapsed bridge.
Local Officials Visit The Site After Protest
Upon learning that children were studying while sitting on the flooded road, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Manikpur, Public Works Department officials, the local revenue official, and the Behilpurwa police station team rushed to the spot. The officials conducted a thorough on-site inspection of the damaged connecting route and the severe waterlogging area.
Demand For Immediate Alternative Route And Bridge Reconstruction
The villagers have strongly demanded that authorities arrange an immediate temporary alternative route for Bandri Purwa and expedite the reconstruction of the washed-away bridge, ensuring safe travel for local residents and unobstructed schooling for the children.
