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Kolkata: A school at Gadai Char village on the banks of Ganga is getting the necessary makeover which it supposed to get for the past two years. Now, labourers are busy in repairing and constructing the school. The school was damaged in the massive floods which gobbled a section of its primary school two years back. Since then students used to attend their classes in rooms without roofs, benches and even blackboards.
No Toilets, Electricity Before Polls
Notably, the school has no toilet and electricity but for the past few days, the school has been buzzing with sounds of construction. Now, the school is getting new walls, roofs and toilets. All thanks go to the upcoming elections.
The school is witnessing all the renovation and construction work as it is going to serve as a polling station with two booths. It will cater to more than 1,300 voters from nearby villages in the third phase of the election which is scheduled for May 7. The workers are instructed to complete the work as soon as possible which will serve as polling booths.
“Two years ago, Gangaji changed its course. She flooded one portion of the village and our houses, school, and other buildings got submerged in the river. So, we had to move out,” Indian Express quoted Sanjib Mahato (50), a resident of the village.
“The school building got ruined in the flood. Every year thereafter, the river flooded the school. It has no roof, tables, or chairs. Teachers come once or twice a month. Our children don’t know how to read and write properly,” Indian Express quoted Shambhu Mahato.
Villagers say that most of the youth go to Delhi, Haryana, and Punjab to work as labourers. The nearest hospital is more than 12 km away in Manikchowk.
According to villagers, most of the youth go to Delhi, Haryana and Punjab to work as labourers. Notably, the nearest hospital is over 12 km away in Manikchowk.
“We have to cross the river to reach the nearest town. We have no electricity. So, at night if there is some emergency, it is impossible to move a patient to the hospital in the town,” says 35-year-old Bhola Mahato.
Notably, Gadai Char is not the only village which was affected by floods. “Every year because of the erosion caused by the Ganga, several villages and buildings in Manikchowk and Kaliachowk blocks get washed away,” says Anup Chakraborty, the local BDO.
Last year’s panchayat elections saw a makeshift polling station put together by the locals. In contrast, this time around, a long-lasting brick structure topped with an asbestos roof and equipped with toilets is being put into place, as shared by the BDO. Considering the village doesn’t have electricity, official preparations include arranging two generators for election day. The DM also hinted at ongoing plans to introduce a solar-powered electricity system in the village as a long-term solution.
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