Between Flood And Fear: 800 Villagers, 16 Pillars and A School Too Far
A leap from one pillar to the next means a single trip, involving 16 jumps. To make the journey four times, one jumps 128 times.
Published : July 6, 2025 at 10:29 AM IST
|Updated : July 6, 2025 at 5:14 PM IST
Kanker: For their daily travel, as many as 800 villagers of four hamlets in Chhattisgarh's Kanker hop across 16 narrow concrete pillars built over a stop dam, hanging precariously between life and death just to reach the main road. The absence of a well-constructed bridge for them speaks volumes of apathy and the utter neglect appears glaring even after more than seven decades of independence.
Not only adults but also children are forced to hop to reach school during the Monsoon. For the villagers of Banskund, a remote village situated on the banks of the Chinar River, the rainy season brings misery and isolation. For decades, Banskund and its three adjoining villages—Upar Tonka, Niche Tonka, and Chalachur—have weathered floods and government apathy. Villagers remain cut off from the district and block headquarters, and essential services.
No concrete bridge, just narrow pillars
The villagers depend on an old stop dam or a low dam constructed across a stream. The thin dam offers no significant relief to them. The villagers solely depend on a stop dam — this structure is literally their lifeline. Constructed years ago with 16 narrow concrete pillars meant to regulate water, not transport lives.
The men somehow pass through the narrow pillars, but women and children can't do the same for fear of falling down and risking their lives. "It's a life-and-death experience for us. Crossing the narrow pillars is fraught with risk. Every year, we used to spread mats, but not this time. Patients are carried across the river on a cot. But if the water level of the river rises, then the patient cannot be taken across the river even on a cot. In such cases, patients are taken to Baiga Gunia or local traditional healers," says Sagunram Uike, sarpanch or the village head.
Schools shut, no education
Students studying at primary schools in Upar and Niche Tonka do not need to cross the precarious pillars but those who go for higher education must cross the river to reach Banskund. During the monsoon, they avoid attending classes. “My son didn’t go to school for three months last year,” said Boharan Singh, a local. Crossing on the bamboo mat through the dangerous route proved risky for many. One teacher fell while he attempted the cross. He somehow survived only because he could swim.
No road, ration items carried on shoulders
Carrying ration supplies becomes risky when water levels rise. Villagers carry 25-30 kg bags of rice and wheat across this slippery route. Satish Kumar, another villager, who shared his ordeal, said, "We have come to collect ration, we have no option but to cross the pillars carrying the sacks on our shoulders. It's too risky."
A makeshift solution
Jumping over a stop dam as mode of commute is scary. For villagers, a leap from one pillar to the next means a single trip across involves 16 jumps. A round trip means would require 32 jumps. If a villager has to carry goods four times a day, he will have to jump 128 times.
Apart from being an exhausting experience, it’s dangerous.
There are certain anecdotes of these horror jumps. Last year, a schoolchild slipped while trying to jump between the pillars. Fortunately, he had a lucky escape as some people nearby managed to save the child.
Roshanlal, a villager, explained to ETV Bharat on how difficult it is for children who come to school from the other side of the river.
"They carry their books in one hand and try to balance while jumping from one pillar to the next. There are 16 jumps each way—and every single one is a struggle. For the kids, it’s not just about reaching school—it’s about surviving the journey," he said.
A stop dam was constructed on the Chinar River 10 years ago. Without proper gates, its purpose failed. The villagers came up with the idea of a jugaad—a bamboo footbridge, built over the dam before monsoon. In case of illness or emergency, the only option is to carry the patient across on a cot. Once the river swells, the same can’t be done.
“We do not have any option if someone falls ill. They are left at the mercy of Baiga Gunias—tribal healers. Hospitals are out of bounds for us,” the sarpanch rued.
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