Keonjhar, Sept. 16 (UDN): For students of Ratanpur village under Sadar block in Keonjhar district, reaching school has become a daily struggle, particularly during the rainy season when the village road turns into a muddy and slippery stretch.

Residents claim the village has been waiting for a pucca road since 1963. The same stretch is used by schoolchildren, villagers and patients, but becomes increasingly difficult to navigate after heavy rain.

Children are often forced to walk through the slush on their way to school, with some reportedly slipping and falling along the route.

Rain disrupts school commute

The condition of the road has reportedly become particularly challenging during periods of heavy rainfall. On some days, students find it difficult to reach school, while falls on the slippery stretch have added to their difficulties.

The poor connectivity has also affected the supply of mid-day meals to the school. Vehicles carrying food reportedly stop at a point where the road becomes difficult to navigate. The cook and helper then have to carry the supplies by hand over the muddy stretch.

Chandramani Gagarai, an MDM cook, said the difficult journey sometimes results in food being spilled when people carrying it lose their balance. She also claimed that shortages on such occasions have forced teachers to provide biscuits to students.

Medical emergencies pose another challenge

Residents said the road problem extends beyond school-related difficulties. During medical emergencies, they claim ambulances are unable to reach the village because of the condition of the road.

Villagers said patients sometimes have to be transported manually or through other available means to reach a point accessible to vehicles.

Sunaphula Bankira, an Anganwadi helper, said children frequently slip while travelling to school and that the situation becomes particularly difficult for sick or elderly residents.

School headmaster Ramesh Kumar Mahanta said the teachers also have to help students navigate the difficult stretch during the rainy season.

Rs 10 lakh sanctioned for road

Responding to the villagers’ concerns, the Sadar block BDO said Rs 10 lakh has been approved for construction of the road.

According to the BDO, work has not yet started because of the continuing rain. Once weather conditions improve, the administration plans to construct the stretch connecting the RD road to Ratanpur, with the work expected to be completed within a month.

For residents, the proposed road is expected to improve access to the school, facilitate the movement of essential supplies and provide better connectivity during medical emergencies.