In a significant move aimed at transforming education access for a remote tribal community, a dedicated school bus service was inaugurated on Monday at the Nagada hillock in Odisha's Jajpur district. This initiative, funded through the District Mineral Fund (DMF), promises to bring immense relief to students from the Juang tribe, who have historically been isolated from development.
A Long-Awaited Journey Begins
The 52-seater bus was officially flagged off by Sukinda Block Development Officer (BDO) Prangyan Parimita Prusty at Deogaon Chhack. The event witnessed the presence of enthusiastic locals, students, and officials. Satya Surup Panda, the team leader of DMF in Jajpur, emphasized the project's impact, stating that the bus is bound to bring huge relief to tribal students.
The service will connect students from Nagada, Talanagada, Majhinagada, Guhiasala, Tumuni, and other adjacent villages to their schools. On its very first day, around 50 students from Nagada and nearby villages boarded the bus, marking the end of a grueling daily commute.
Overcoming a History of Hardship
The launch of this bus service is a poignant milestone for Nagada, an area that was thrust into the national spotlight a decade ago. In 2016, 19 children from the Juang tribe died of malnutrition within a span of three months, exposing the acute deprivation in the region. This tragedy prompted authorities to initiate various development works.
While a 15-km road connecting Nagada to the Sukinda block headquarters was built in 2017, and a general bus service was briefly introduced, it was discontinued in 2018. Since then, students like Bibhu Pradhani, a Class IX student at Sourika High School in Deogaon, had to trek approximately 20 km daily for their education. "We are happy after the authorities started a free school bus service for us to reach our school 10 km from our village, Talanagada," expressed the 15-year-old.
Beyond Education: A Call for Broader Connectivity
While the school bus addresses a critical educational need, it also highlights the broader infrastructural gaps faced by the Juang community, listed among the poorest tribes in India. Villagers still undertake arduous treks of about 15 km to reach the nearest market at Kaliapani for daily essentials.
Nandi Pradhani (45), a resident of Guhiasala, pointed out the continuing need for comprehensive transport. "We need a passenger bus for locals as the school bus is only meant to provide transport to students from Nagada hillock to Deogaon," he said. This sentiment underscores the need for sustained development efforts in the region.
The bus service follows a review visit by the then Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja on May 12, 2025, where he assured locals of improved connectivity. For villagers like Amulya Pradhani from Talanagada, the new bus is a welcome step. "We are happy that the authorities arranged a school bus for children of Nagada," he said, acknowledging the 10-km journey it now conveniently covers.
The launch of the Nagada school bus stands as a testament to focused development intervention, aiming to bridge the geographical and developmental distance that has long kept the Juang tribe on the margins.
