Pipalrawan (Madhya Pradesh): A Sadbuddhi Yagna was performed on Monday by Pipalrawan's residents and school students on Polai road to protest against the terrible condition of State Highway 17.
After the religious ceremony, hundreds of people walked three kilometers through muddy, pothole-filled roads to reach Pipalrawan Tehsil office with their demands.
The protesters, including many school children, carried banners saying "Road Chahiye, Vikas Nahi" (We Want Roads, Not Empty Development).
They submitted a memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister Mohan Yadav through deputy tehsildar Lakhan Sonaniya. Former Municipal Council president Bhupendra Nagar read out their demands publicly.
Years of neglect
State Highway 17 starts from Pipalrawan and was approved during former MLA Rajendra Verma's time. Construction went smoothly from Berakhedi Fata to Pipalrawan, but stopped at Ghichalai road when local farmers objected.
They demanded compensation for their private land being used for the road. Due to this dispute, about one kilometer remains incomplete even today.
This important road connects Shajapur, Dewas, Sehore and Rajgarh. It passes through areas like Nipaniya, Lekumdi, Ghichalai and Jolai in Sonkatch Assembly. The city's Governmnet Higher Secondary School and private schools are located along this route.
Daily struggle for students
Hundreds of school children faced danger daily on this stretch. Students get splashed with mud and have to go home to bathe before attending classes when vehicles passes by. Parents also worried about their kids' safety.
The situation worsen after September 17, 2022, when a school vehicle crashed on Nipaniya hill, seriously injuring several children. Since then, vehicles continue to overturn regularly.
15-Day Warning
In their memorandum, residents demanded immediate completion of road construction and filling of dangerous potholes.
They gave a 15-day ultimatum to the administration. If no action is taken, they warned of bigger protests and said parents will stop sending children to school for safety reasons.
The residents also planned to attend a collector public hearing on Tuesday to present their case and highlight the accidents on this road.
