Odisha Village’s Road Woes Force Pregnant Woman’s Cot Journey
Nabarangpur: In a stark reminder of rural neglect, a 26‑year‑old pregnant woman from Baradayodi village was carried on a cot for three kilometres by fellow villagers before reaching an ambulance.
The incident unfolded when Pan Jani went into labor and her family called the 108 ambulance service. However, the vehicle could only reach Sindhiguda village, as Baradayodi has no motorable road.
The villagers carried her across rough terrain until she could be transferred to the ambulance, which then took her to Tentulikhunti Community Health Centre.
Baradayodi residents have long struggled without basic facilities such as roads, electricity, and drinking water.
In protest, they boycotted the last panchayat elections, returned ration cards, and demanded inclusion in the neighbouring Kalahandi district for better access to services.
Despite repeated assurances from officials, road construction has not materialised.
This incident underscores the urgent need for infrastructure development in remote Odisha villages, where residents continue to face life‑threatening challenges due to administrative apathy.
