A video from the Kumaon region, near Munsiyari in Uttarakhand, has gone viral on social media, highlighting the daily struggles faced by schoolchildren in remote areas. The video shows two young girls pulling a rope to bring an old trolley across a river, set against the majestic Himalayan mountains. After pulling the trolley across the river, the girls board it and manually operate it to reach their school, making this a regular part of their journey.
No Progress? Schoolchildren In Uttarakhand Still Rely On Trolley To Cross River
In the video, a man is heard expressing his disbelief, saying, "2025 hai ye," as he watches the girls navigate the difficult task. He then questions, "Aise hoga vikas," wondering how development is progressing in such areas. This video has drawn attention to the lack of infrastructure in rural and remote regions of India. It has sparked conversations about the challenges faced by communities living in these areas.
The situation in Kumaon echoes a similar story that came to light last year. In August 2024, 18-year-old Saurabh Panwar from Sondhar village in Tehri Garhwal was in the news for relying on a makeshift rope-trolley system to cross the Song River. The trolley, which was installed a decade ago as a temporary measure, continues to be the only way for hundreds of villagers to cross the river.
Panwar shared with the Times of India, “That’s how we went to school, and it’s how I now go to college on the other side of the river.” A group of around 70 villages, located between 10 to 17 kilometers from Maldevta, rely on this trolley to connect to Dehradun and Tehri. However, the trolley’s condition has worsened over the years, and recent heavy rains have made the crossing even more dangerous.
Panwar, who uses the trolley to commute to college, explained the risk involved, "It’s just too risky. The water is only a couple of feet below, and the trolley could flip anytime." Due to the dangers posed by the river, Panwar and other students have stopped attending classes after the water levels rose significantly.
When the trolley is not an option, the alternative is a perilous 15-20 kilometer trek, which becomes especially hazardous during the monsoon season. The roads get washed away, and children are often at risk of animal attacks. Moreover, during these times, students are required to be accompanied by adults for safety reasons.
This situation has raised questions about the pace of development and the urgent need for better infrastructure in these remote areas.
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