Service road just above school in Kasaragod poses threat to teachers, students

Kanhangad: With the service road of the National Highway running just above their school, the teachers and students of Christ CMI Public School, Kanhangad, are facing a constant threat to their safety. The pathway connecting the administrative block to the main school building passes directly beneath this service road, which is situated barely 10 metres above.

Despite the fact that this narrow service road carries thousands of vehicles daily, including gas tankers and other heavy carriers, right above a campus with nearly 1,000 children, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has yet to construct even a protective wall at the spot.

Work on a concrete retaining wall had once begun here but remains incomplete. The concern is not unfounded as barely three kilometres away from the school, a gas tanker had overturned a few weeks ago, forcing authorities to evacuate nearby residents for two days.

With risks mounting, parents and teachers have intensified demands for urgent intervention from authorities, including the District Collector, to ensure the safety of the school. School principal Fr. George Punjayil confirmed that a formal complaint has already been lodged with the NHAI, urging them to complete the construction of a protective wall at the earliest, prioritising the safety of children.