India, Aug. 25 -- About 50 schoolchildren, their parents and residents of Chopna village travelled around 70 km to the Betul district collectorate on Tuesday to protest the poor condition of a key unpaved road.

The protesters said the 1.8-km road connecting Lakhipur village to Jholi-1 in the Chopna Rehabilitation Area has remained unpaved for years and becomes muddy and difficult to use during the monsoon.

The road is the main route to and from Chopna for thousands of residents of around 14 villages, including Chikhalpati, Lakhipur and Jholi-1. Schoolchildren also use it to commute to classes.

Poor road affects attendance

The students and villagers arrived at the collectorate in private vehicles and staged a protest outside the distri...