In Bihar's Nalanda district, children from Sukuchi D and Sukuchi Rai villages must row boats across the 100-meter-wide Sakri River every morning to reach school, as a Rs 6.2 crore bridge project remains stalled since late 2023, work halted for two months despite a July 30, 2025 start.

With no admin-provided boats or trained boatmen, 10-12-year-olds handle the oars themselves, avoiding an 8 km detour.

Will these kids' childhoods drown in neglect, or will the bridge finally rise to save their dreams?