Himachal Pradesh News
Mandi Schoolchildren Risk Their Lives Crossing Dam Waters on Unsafe Swing to Reach School Every Day
Every school day begins with a dangerous journey for children from Chhintala Blavg village in Kasog tehsil of Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district. Instead of walking across a safe bridge, students are forced to cross the backwaters of a hydel project dam using an old and fragile swing (jhula), putting their lives at risk.
Every school day begins with a dangerous journey for children from Chhintala Blavg village in Kasog tehsil of Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district. Instead of walking across a safe bridge, students are forced to cross the backwaters of a hydel project dam using an old and fragile swing (jhula), putting their lives at risk.
The rising water level of the dam has cut off the village’s traditional route, leaving residents with no reliable road or bridge to access nearby schools and essential services. As a result, schoolchildren depend on the decades-old swing every day, despite growing concerns over its safety.
Villagers say the swing has become increasingly unsafe with age and requires immediate replacement. They fear that any mechanical failure or accident could have serious consequences, particularly for young children who use it regularly to attend school.
The issue recently gained public attention after local resident Bodh Raj shared a video on social media highlighting the hazardous conditions faced by students. In the video, he described the daily crossing as extremely risky and appealed to the authorities for urgent intervention.
According to Bodh Raj, villagers have repeatedly approached the concerned minister and the local MLA, requesting the construction of a permanent bridge or the installation of a safer transportation system. However, they claim that despite multiple appeals, no concrete action has been taken.
Residents believe the problem began after the construction of a hydel power project, which submerged the village’s traditional access route due to the increase in dam water levels. Since then, families have struggled with daily transportation, while schoolchildren continue to face life-threatening conditions simply to access education.
The villagers have now urged the Himachal Pradesh Government to treat the issue as a priority and provide a permanent solution. They are demanding the construction of a bridge or another secure crossing facility that would ensure the safety of students and improve connectivity for the entire village.
Until a long-term solution is implemented, parents say they remain anxious every morning as their children undertake a risky journey that no student should have to make just to attend school.
