Udupi– In Charsalu, a remote hamlet in Golihole village, Byndoor taluk of Udupi district, going to school is not just about homework and textbooks—it begins with pushing an auto-rickshaw through the mud.
During the monsoon, the Charsalu-Mavinakai road turns into a stretch of thick slush. With no proper asphalt in sight, the road becomes nearly impassable, forcing schoolchildren to step out of their autos and push them out of sticky patches.
“This isn’t a punishment, it’s our daily reality,” a local parent shared, expressing concern over their children’s safety. Every day, students risk slipping and falling, all while wearing mud-soaked uniforms that they must sit in throughout the school day. The emotional toll on both children and parents is rising, especially when reaching school itself becomes a struggle.
Despite repeated complaints to elected representatives, the road remains neglected. No action has been taken to pave or repair this critical stretch, even though the village is home to more than 40 households.
The residents are demanding immediate attention to the reconstruction and asphalting of the Charsalu-Mavinakai road. “We just want our kids to go to school safely—without pushing an auto every morning,” said a frustrated parent.
The poor road connectivity in this region reflects a broader issue of infrastructure apathy in rural parts of the district, and villagers say it’s high time authorities act.