Overflowing sewage a roadblock for primary school students

For the past one month, the Naharpur Rupa primary school students have been suffering silently. But the callous administration has turned a blind eye towards their plight.

Sewer water accumulates around the school with more than 400 students after every shower, making the entrance an open drain. Apart from the foul smell, waterlogging along the boundary wall is also a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

According to the school principal, the issue has been raised with all concerned authorities but no action has been taken.

“We had informed the Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon (MCG), the deputy commissioner, the local councillor and the education department but to no avail. The condition of the school in an urban locality is no better than those in a rural pocket,” said Kamla Devi, the principal.

The civic apathy has also cost the school several students as parents have started looking for alternatives — more than 25 students left in July alone.

The permanently choked sewer line leads to seepage of water into classrooms, damaging the building. People have put a few bricks so that children can cross the puddle without dirtying their legs.

“Locals remove the bricks after school hours to help vehicles cross the road and avoid traffic congestion. So, arranging those bricks outside the gate is a daily affair,” said the principal.

The worst-affected are students with physical disabilities who need a vehicle to reach their classrooms. Many among them are planning to leave the school, the principal said.

However, when asked about the civic mess outside the primary school, district elementary education officer, Premlata Yadav, denied any apathy on their part.

“It is the principal’s duty to inform the municipal corporation and get work done instead of contacting us,” Yadav said.

According to the councillor of ward 27, Sonia Thakran, there are no sewer lines in this part of Naharpur Rupa. A tender worth Rs 80 lakh was awarded a month ago and work is expected to start in 30 days.

“We could not start work as rainwater would flood the entire road if dug up. So, we will begin the work after the monsoon,” she said, adding that overflowing sewer water will be cleared only if a complaint is filed with the MCG.