When schoolchildren go viral — to get roads fixed

In Maharashtra, schoolchildren are turning to social media to bring attention to the hazardous routes they must take to get to school. From mock news reports to direct appeals to political leaders, students have used platforms like Instagram to document these civic failures. While some demands have led to repairs or official intervention, others remain stuck at the stage of proposals and assurances.

In Palghar district, a video posted by 16-year-old Sohil Sunil Chaudhary on Instagram brought national attention to the hazardous route students in Wadhiv village take to school. The video showed children walking along railway tracks, a route they have used for decades due to the lack of a permanent, all-weather road bridge. Railway authorities have clarified that these pathways are intended for authorized railway personnel and are not meant for regular public movement.

The risks are very real, as evidenced by a recent incident where eight-year-old Prince Kishore Bhagat fell while walking along the tracks and required rescue.

The demand for a road connection to Wadhiv has been ongoing for decades. Although a proposal for a 700-meter permanent bridge was submitted to the state government on September 1, it is now awaiting administrative and financial approvals. A promised ferry, which residents were told would arrive around three years ago, has not materialized. Villagers are still relying on privately operated boats when available.

The situation in Nashik district is similarly dire. In Gohirewadi, 11-year-old Smita Shid and 10-year-old Aditya Gohire created a mock news report to highlight the muddy trail their schoolchildren must navigate. Although the video was shared widely and drew political attention, including a visit from opposition leader Aaditya Thackeray, the road remains unfinished.

The challenges faced by schoolchildren are not limited to monsoon season. During heavy rain, the alternative route along a highway is also hazardous, with slippery ground, thorns, and snakes posing additional dangers. In addition to these infrastructure issues, the lack of basic facilities at the school, such as proper toilets and classrooms, further compounds the difficulties faced by students and their families.