Maharashtra: Students use thermocol raft to reach schools in backwaters of Jayakwadi dam
Aug 29, 2023
Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (Maharashtra) [India], August 29 : In an inspiring yet risky initiative, children in a small village of Maharashtra's Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar district are forced to cross a river on a thermocol raft as they have no alternative to reach their school.
The government school students of Bhiw Dhanora village of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar district row the thermocol raft using hand-made oars to cross the kilometre-long stretch of the backwaters of the Jayakwadi dam, constructed on Godavari River. 
The village is situated 15 Kms away from the sub-district headquarters Gangapur (Tehsildar office) and 45 Kms away from the district headquarters. 
Locals say that this situation arose after the construction of the Jayakwadi Dam on the Godavari River. The backwaters found their course and divided their village, comprising 50-60 'Bastis' into two.
"We are facing the same situation since the Jayakwadi Dam is being constructed as the backwaters flow here. We have made several appeals to the government, but nothing happened. The village has been divided into two parts and one part of it is facing adversities. I would like to appeal to the government to provide us with basic facilities," a local said while speaking to ANI.
He said that around 200-300 people cross the river by risking their lives. "The administration is not doing anything," he added.
Headmaster of Jila Parishad Prathmik Shala told ANI that a total of six students, enrolled in his school, cross the Godavari backwaters to come to the school. 
"Six students come from basti who belong to farmer communities. They have to cross Godavari backwaters to come to the school," Rajendra Khimnar, Headmaster said.
Meanwhile, the Tehsildar of Gangapur, Satish Soni said, "When Jayakwadi Dam was constructed on the Godavari River, the backwater used to flow to Bhiw Dhanora village, so the whole village was relocated to a new place. In the new village, people have been allotted plots but there are 7-8 families who don't live in the village but on farms, since farming is their livelihood. So, the children of these people cross the river to reach school."
