Phulbani: A viral video circulating on social media has spotlighted transportation and infrastructure challenges confronting rural students in Odisha’s Kandhamal district.
The footage shows more than 30 Class 10 (matriculation) candidates from PM Shri High School in the K Nuagaon area clinging to a tractor as it transported them along bumpy rural roads to their designated examination centre at Kudutuli High School, roughly 3 km away.
The unusual mode of transport has triggered widespread concern, with many questioning the safety of students forced to rely on such arrangements for one of the most important examinations of their academic lives.
The clip also sparked outrage online, with netizens criticising the state of infrastructure in Kandhamal, a district known for its challenging terrain and limited connectivity. Many argued that such incidents highlight the challenges faced by students in remote areas, where basic facilities like transport remain inadequate. The tractor ride, while resourceful, has been seen as symbolic of the neglect rural students endure.
While no official statement has yet been issued by the district administration, the viral video is expected to prompt questions about accountability and the need for better infrastructure support in rural Odisha.
