Jamshedpur: Mounds of garbage, clogged drains and a mucky approach road have together made nearly 3,000 students of two schools and an intermediate college here highly susceptible to vector-borne diseases.
The irony? The squalor exists a stone's throw from Jamshedpur block office and barely 5km from the heart of a squeaky clean steel city.
The educational hub in Karandih sprawls over 5.5 acres and hosts the Shyama Prasad middle school (founded in 1953), the Shyama Prasad high school (founded in 1953) and the Shyama Prasad Inter College (established in 1981) - all named after Bharatiya Jan Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee.
The area mocks the East Singhbhum district administration's claims of preparedness for the Swachh Survekshan Grameen (pan-India sanitation survey of rural areas) to be held between August 1 and 31. Results are expected to be announced on October 2.
"Discarded plastic, kitchen waste, leftover food and unmentionables lie in heaps all around the campus, triggering a nauseating stench. Even during the day, swarms of mosquitoes torment children. Waterlogging only aggravates the situation," said Prabal Kumar Deb, secretary of Shiksha Samiti that looks after the administration of the two schools and inter-college.
He added that they had complained to Krishi Utpadan Bazaar Samiti, the zilla parishad member and block development officer, but in vain.
While the middle school has 948 students, the high school has over 1,200 on its rolls. Another 900 students study in the intermediate college. For them it is a daily challenge to concentrate on studies while battling the sting menace.
"We have no choice but to brave the filthy road and mosquito bites to reach school. We shudder at the sight of heavy rain because that would mean wading through drain water," said Prashant Kumar Majhi, a Class X student and resident of DVC Colony in Karandih.
Elected zilla parishad member Sudipto Dey Rana cited lack of funds for regular cleaning of garbage, but said Potka MLA Menaka Sardar had sanctioned Rs 22 lakh for construction of a bituminous road.
"We (panchayat bodies) do not have dedicated funds for sanitation and cannot undertake regular cleaning of garbage. However, the MLA has sanctioned funds for repair and construction of a nearly 2km road. Construction will commence soon after monsoon," said Dey.
Secretary Sanjay Kachchap of Krishi Utpadan Bazaar Samiti, which looks after agriculture market yards in the district, agreed to start cleaning garbage and drains along with the school administration.
"We do not have funds at the moment. However, as soon as we get money, we will hold a meeting with the school management and undertake periodical cleaning of garbage and drains," he added.
Deputy development commissioner Biswanath Maheshwari expressed concern over health hazards near the school. "Surveyors may visit any rural area for the sanitation survey between August 1 and 31. If the situation is not improved in Karandih, it will give us a bad name. We shall speak to block and panchayat officials and thrash out a solution," he said.
