TL;DR: In Pitrigedda village, Kilo Devi, a 29-year-old tribal woman, had to be carried 6 km on a makeshift stretcher (doli) after giving birth at home due to no ambulance access. Villagers are frustrated by incomplete road projects and plan to protest at the Zilla Parishad meeting in Visakhapatnam on October 24. 🚶♂️
🏔️ A Childbirth with No Ambulance in Sight
On Wednesday night, Kilo Devi went into labour at home since no motorable road connects her remote village to a nearby hospital. After her delivery, concerned about her health, her husband and relatives carried her and the newborn on foot to the closest village, Arla, and from there managed to catch an auto to Butchampeta’s PHC.
🚧 Incomplete Road Projects: A Never-Ending Struggle
The lack of proper roads has been a recurring issue for Pitrigedda and nearby villages. In 2021, frustrated villagers pooled money—₹3,000 per household—to build a motorcycle-accessible road. However, the government-approved gravel road project, sanctioned with ₹1 crore, was left unfinished in 2023. Though temporary fixes were made with soil and stones, monsoon rains washed them away, leaving the villagers stranded once again 🌧️.
📢 “We Need Roads, Not Promises!”—Villagers Speak Out
Korra Ramesh, Kilo’s husband, voiced his frustration: “This can’t go on. We need proper roads, not empty promises. Lives are at stake.” Villagers have already filed complaints with the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA), but the lack of accountability from officials has deepened their anger. Now, the tribals are planning to protest during the upcoming Zilla Parishad meeting in Visakhapatnam on October 24. 🚩
💡 MediaFx Opinion: Basic Infrastructure Is a Right, Not a Privilege!
It’s tragic that tribal communities are forced to rely on makeshift solutions for something as fundamental as healthcare access. Roads are not just convenience—they are lifelines, especially in emergencies like childbirth. The government’s negligence is a serious failure. These communities should not have to raise their own funds for basic infrastructure. Roadwork projects must be completed urgently, and monsoons can’t be used as an excuse every year. Communal politics are being used to divert attention from issues that matter.
What are your thoughts? Should the government take stronger action for remote communities? Drop your comments below! 👇
