1 hr ago
Maharashtra schoolchildren use social media to demand safer roads
Some children in Maharashtra have very dangerous journeys to school or college.
They walk through mud, cross potholes, or use paths beside railway tracks.
In Wadhiv, children use railway pathways because there is no permanent road bridge to the mainland.
In Gohirewadi, rain turns the school path into slippery mud, and some children stay home.
Students made videos showing these problems and posted them on social media.
Their videos sometimes brought attention from politicians and local officials.
In Khandpe, temporary pothole repairs started after a student-made report spread online.
In other places, officials have suggested roads or repairs, but the work still needs approval.
The students say they are using videos because ordinary requests have not solved the problems.
Students in four Maharashtra districts filmed unsafe school routes and shared them online.
Wadhiv children use railway tracks because the island lacks a permanent road bridge.
Gohirewadi’s muddy school trail remains unfinished despite a proposed alternative route.
Khandpe pothole repairs began after students’ mock news report circulated online.
Mhaswad’s damaged college road awaits approval for repairs costing more than Rs 1 crore.
- Who
- Schoolchildren and college students in Wadhiv, Gohirewadi, Khandpe and Mhaswad, along with local residents and authorities.
- What
- Students used Instagram and other social media platforms to expose dangerous roads, muddy paths and railway-track routes.
- Where
- Palghar, Nashik, Raigad and Satara districts in Maharashtra.
- When
- The campaigns occurred in recent months; cited posts and proposals include August 22, September 1 and July 1.
- Why
- They wanted authorities to address unsafe journeys and improve access to schools, colleges and essential services.
Students and residents
Authorities and elected representatives
Whether online posts produce real solutions
Students and residents
Students and residents say viral videos are necessary to make long-standing civic failures visible after repeated appeals produced limited results.
Authorities and elected representatives
Authorities and elected representatives have responded in some cases, but describe projects as dependent on administrative, financial or post-monsoon approvals.
Immediate safety versus phased construction
Students and residents
Residents want safer routes quickly because children face railway tracks, mud, potholes, snakes, falls and damaged bridges during daily travel.
Authorities and elected representatives
Officials have offered temporary repairs or proposed larger projects, including a permanent bridge and alternative roads, with construction tied to approvals and weather conditions.
Key facts
- Wadhiv bridge proposal
- A roughly 700-metre permanent bridge between Wadhiv and Vaiti was proposed at an estimated cost of Rs 25.95 crore.
- Wadhiv ferry
- A ferry promised about three years ago had not started, leaving residents dependent on privately operated boats when available.
- Gohirewadi route
- The school trail becomes slippery and waterlogged during the monsoon, while an alternative road proposal remains under consideration.
- Khandpe repairs
- Temporary pothole repairs began after students’ video circulated; complete reconstruction was scheduled for after the monsoon.
- Mhaswad college road
- The roughly 8-km route includes badly damaged stretches, potholes and an unfenced bridge.
- Mhaswad repair estimate
- An estimate exceeding Rs 1 crore was sent to the Satara Zilla Parishad on July 1, pending approval.
- Social-media response
- Some videos prompted official intervention within days, while other demands remained at the proposal or assurance stage.
Quotes
Sohil Sunil Chaudhary
Sixteen-year-old student from Wadhiv who posted an Instagram appeal about children walking along railway tracks.
“It is difficult to figure out whether there are potholes on the road or the road is in potholes.”
indianexpress.com
“You say we are the future of the country. But look at how we are living here.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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