Chandauli. Every day, 200 children aged between 5 to 10 years risk their lives to reach school amidst the speeding trucks and buses running on the six-lane highway in Dulhipur, Mughalsarai. In the last 3 years, there has been a reduction of 179 children from Dulhipur Composite School. Crossing the road is also a major reason among these. Many left government schools and turned to private schools, while the remaining children are forced to cross the road. Six lanes were made right in front of the school, but despite being a school, no cut, no underpass, no crossing, no warning board and no zebra line was made during the construction. More than 1400 trucks and 8000 vehicles pass through the highway every day, the speed of which has increased further with the completion of the construction. In such a situation, the safety of the children every morning and afternoon depends on God. Six lanes are being constructed from Padav to Godhna. At present, the construction of six lanes has been 90 percent completed.
An accident can happen any time
There is a council school in Dulhipur adjacent to Six Lane. All the villages like Dulhipur, Karwat, Dandi etc. are on the other side of the school, hence the children coming to school from there have to cross the six lanes on foot while coming to school in the morning and after dismissal in the evening. More than 100 out of 200 children are of 5-10 years of age, so an accident can happen at any time. Headmistress Shashi Singh tells that after the children leave, about 6 teachers stand together holding the rope and help the children cross the road. However, despite this, arguments and conflicts arise every day due to fast vehicles. Complaints have been sent to departmental officers several times, but till now no permanent solution has been found.
The number of such children decreased in 3 years
2022 : 710 students
2023 : 627 students
2024 : 527 students
2025: 531 students (increase of only 4 is also the result of door-to-door campaign of teachers)
what do the rules say
Principal Shashi Singh said that during road construction, if there is a school, hospital or public place on the side of the road, then approach cut, underpass, warning board and zebra crossing should be made compulsorily, but the executing agency making six lanes has put the lives of children in danger by ignoring these rules. After recess at 3 o’clock, we 6 teachers together make the children cross the road with a rope. Drivers don’t listen. Have to struggle every day. Children face problems while coming to school.
What did PWD say?
PWD XEN Rajesh Kumar said that where there are schools, zebra lines and other arrangements will be made, but this work is done after the construction is completed. At present, we are considering making temporary arrangements for the safe movement of children.
