Students risk lives crossing river on wooden logs amid bridge delay in Shopian

Shopian, Apr 21: Residents living along the Rambiara river in south Kashmir’s Shopian district have raised serious concerns over the absence of a bridge near Aliyalpora, saying it is putting lives at risk—particularly those of schoolchildren who cross the river daily to attend classes.

“A few days ago, our timely intervention saved two schoolchildren from drowning,” said Mohammad Shafi, a local resident, pointing towards the gurgling waters of the river, known for its sudden rise in flow.

Every morning, dozens of children from Devpora, Nagbal, and Digam villages cross the river to reach schools in Shopian town. In the absence of a bridge for years, they are forced to balance themselves over two narrow wooden logs placed across the stream—a makeshift arrangement residents describe as both unsafe and unreliable.

“There is always a risk of slipping and being swept away by the strong current,” said Abdul Hamid, another resident.

Locals said the river’s flow often increases without warning, particularly during rainfall or snowmelt, making crossings even more hazardous. Despite repeated appeals, they allege that authorities have failed to provide a permanent solution.

“We want the authorities to at least construct a temporary diversion or footbridge until a proper concrete bridge is built,” Hamid said.

Residents from several nearby villages said the demand for a bridge over this stretch of the Rambiara has remained pending for years. They added that the lack of basic infrastructure continues to isolate communities and expose them to daily risks.

Another resident said the situation is also impacting children’s education. “Many parents are reluctant to send their children across the river. It discourages students from continuing school, especially during bad weather,” he said.

The situation worsens during the rainy season, when the water level rises sharply and the wooden logs become slippery or partially submerged. On such days, some children are forced to skip school altogether.

Locals said the construction of a bridge would not only ensure safe passage for students but also improve connectivity for the wider population, including access to healthcare and markets.

For now, residents remain dependent on the fragile wooden crossing, hoping their long-pending demand will be addressed before another accident occurs.