Bhawanipatna, July 8: In a distressing reminder of the ongoing infrastructure crisis in Odisha’s remote regions, a pregnant woman from Barshikona village under Sindhipadar Panchayat in Thuamul Rampur block was carried on a cot for nearly 2 kilometers after an ambulance failed to reach her due to the absence of a motorable road.
The incident occurred when 22-year-old Ranjita Majhi, wife of Mahendra Majhi, went into labor. Following a call for emergency medical assistance, an ambulance was dispatched but could not go beyond the Indravati canal road, where it was forced to halt due to impassable terrain.
With no other options, local villagers stepped in and carried Ranjita on a cot through the rugged stretch to the ambulance. She was later transported to Kalampur hospital for medical care.
Barshikona village, although administratively part of Thuamul Rampur block, remains heavily dependent on emergency services from Kalampur and Junagarh blocks due to its poor connectivity. Reaching the panchayat office, located nearly 50 kilometers away requires traversing the treacherous Singari Ghat road, posing significant risks, particularly during medical emergencies.
Despite repeated appeals and even electoral boycotts by residents to demand better infrastructure, authorities have yet to implement a lasting solution. The incident once again highlights the urgent need for accessible healthcare and improved road connectivity in Odisha’s remote tribal belts.
