The Calcutta High Court has expressed concern over the lack of an access road to two schools in South 24 Parganas, observing that students were being forced to cross marshy land to reach a newly constructed school building where midday meals are served.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Ravindra V. Ghuge and Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty made the observations while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Rabindranath Saha seeking an approach road connecting Baneswarpur RDBPM School with the nearest main road.
The Court observed that the institution is currently surrounded by marshy terrain, requiring students and visitors to cross through it to reach the premises. Stressing the need for a healthy academic environment, the Bench affirmed its commitment to safeguarding the educational future of students attending both schools.
The Bench expressed particular concern over the difficulties faced by students of Baneswarpur RDBPM School and ROSA Dogachha FP School, who have to travel to the newly constructed building of Baneswarpur RDBPM School to receive their midday meals.
The Court noted that students traveling to the new Baneswarpur RDBPM School building for their midday meals face severe hardship due to the complete lack of an access road.
Appearing for the State, counsel submitted that an affidavit would be filed within two weeks setting out the position regarding the access road and the schools. The counsel also clarified that the PIL was not adversarial in nature.
The Bench directed the State to file its affidavit-in-opposition by September 24, 2026, and listed the matter under the Urgent Admission category on September 28.
Meanwhile, the Court directed the petitioner’s counsel to prepare a sketch map indicating the portion of the road already concretised, the locations of both schools and the distance of each school from the concretised road.
The Bench also permitted the petitioner to implead the District Panchayat and Rural Development Officer, South 24 Parganas, as a respondent and directed that the necessary amendment be carried out forthwith.
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