An Anganwadi Centre in Tripura struggles with poor infrastructure, unsafe surroundings, and lack of space—prompting locals to demand relocation for better access and child safety.
Agartala, May 22, 2025 : Tucked away amid dense vegetation, a small room surrounded by thick bushes and mature rubber trees serves as an Anganwadi Centre. There is no proper road leading to it, and a lone toilet stands nearby under the guise of sanitation.
This is the condition of the Anganwadi Centre located in the Puran Bari area of Cehalikhala village. At first glance, it appears to be a long-abandoned structure. But a closer inspection reveals ongoing activity within.
One might assume that this centre lies in a remote, scarcely populated region of the Baramura or Atharamura hill ranges. Surprisingly, it’s only about seven kilometers from Bishalgarh — a town regarded as one of the state’s fastest-growing urban hubs.
The room is so small that it struggles to contain its own furnishings. Two tables, four chairs, a cupboard, and cooking supplies — including an LPG stove, rice, lentils, and eggs — are all cramped into the single space. Moreover, the centre has a total enrollment of 28 children from the village.
Due to the lack of adequate space, most children avoid attending the pre-school. The so-called classroom simply can’t accommodate them all at once.
When asked about the situation, the centre’s in-charge explained, “We’re unable to conduct proper pre-school sessions because of the severe space crunch. Occasionally, a couple of children do show up, and we ensure they sit in the verandah. Since cooking happens inside, it’s unsafe to let young children sit close to open flames or hot objects.”
While she declined to formally comment on the safety of the surroundings, the area is clearly unsuitable for children. The terrain is uneven, there are unprotected water bodies nearby, and the entire location is surrounded by rubber trees — conditions far from ideal for a preschool environment.
Residents of the village have urged authorities to relocate the Anganwadi Centre to a safer and more accessible location within a residential area, allowing children to attend regularly and easing the concerns of parents.
