Kendrapara, Jan. 3: Children of certain villages in the district have to cross a crocodile-infested water body every day to go to school.

From thickly populated hamlets such asPalanda, Dholamara, Gadapara, Loknathprasad and Kusunpur under Rajnagar tehsil, they trek their way to a school at Jarimula village. On their way, they have to cross the Brahmani creek, which has crocodiles. There is no regular bridge over the creek. Local residents have built a makeshift bridge by placing wooden poles and planks across the water body.

Some bamboo poles also support the 12-ft structure, but it is too risky for anyone to use. However, no major mishap has been reported so far, as children in these parts are good swimmers, said child rights' activist Jagannath Das.

Sources said that five years ago, foundation stone for a mini-bridge over the water body had been laid. But, the government agencies are yet to set it up.

'Children cross the makeshift bridge every day to reach school. It's dangerous walking over a rickety wooden bridge. However, we have no other option,' said Shyam Sundar Bhuyan, the father of one of the school-going child from Palanda village.

'The school in Jarimula is known to be good. Hence, parents send their wards there, despite the croc risk,'said another guardian, Manguli Charan Mohanty of Dholamara village.

'It is sheer luck that no mishap has taken place so far,' said a local resident.

'Tender for the bridge construction has been finalised. The contract has been given to the highest bidder. It will start from the third week of January,' said executive engineer of the rural works division Nalinikant Senapati.