The lack of basic road connectivity in remote tribal villages of Andhra Pradesh continues to create serious problems for residents, particularly during medical emergencies. A recent incident in Pallapu Dungada village of Dharaparthi Panchayat in S. Kota Mandal, Vizianagaram district, has once again highlighted the difficult living conditions of tribal communities.
Janni Sukaramma, a tribal woman from the village, was forced to carry her 12-year-old daughter, Sampoorna, on her shoulders for nearly seven kilometres through rocky and hilly terrain to reach medical assistance.
Sampoorna had been suffering from illness for several days, but the treatment available locally did not improve her condition. With no proper road connecting the village to nearby areas, Sukaramma had no option but to carry her daughter down the hill towards Dabbagunta village. From there, she arranged an auto-rickshaw to take the child to a private hospital in S. Kota.
After receiving medical treatment, the mother had to carry her daughter back up the hill to their village.
The incident has triggered criticism over the lack of basic infrastructure in tribal areas. Residents say their difficulties could have been avoided if the road promised by Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan had been completed.
PMGSY Road Project Remains Incomplete
The situation in Pallapu Dungada raises serious questions about the implementation of rural road development projects.
A 6.5-kilometre road connecting the village was reportedly sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) years ago. However, the project remains incomplete, leaving residents without proper road access.
Recent heavy rains have further worsened the situation by damaging the available routes and cutting off connectivity.
Residents are also waiting for a proposed health facility in the area, with the tendering process reportedly yet to be finalised.
Tribal families say the absence of roads and nearby healthcare facilities forces them to take serious risks even for basic medical treatment.
Pregnant Woman Carried on Stretcher for 3 Km in Alluri District
This is not an isolated incident. Several similar cases have emerged from tribal regions of Andhra Pradesh in recent months.
Recently, Kiloo Neelima, a pregnant woman from Talaripadu village in Anantagiri Mandal of Alluri Sitarama Raju district, experienced labour pain. As there was no proper road connecting the village, local residents carried her on a stretcher for nearly three kilometres to reach Boddapadu village.
The incident once again exposed the difficulties faced by pregnant women in remote tribal settlements, where ambulances cannot reach due to poor road connectivity.
Sick Woman Carried for 7 Km in S. Kota Mandal
In another incident, 40-year-old Majji Sannamma from Kuridi village in S. Kota Mandal, Vizianagaram district, fell seriously ill.
As vehicles could not reach the village, her family members carried her in a makeshift stretcher for nearly seven kilometres. She was later shifted to a hospital in a private vehicle.
Such incidents highlight how the lack of basic transportation facilities continues to affect access to emergency healthcare in tribal communities.
Pregnant Woman Carried for 8 Km Through Hills and Streams
A similar situation was reported from Tadakapalli village in Gudem Kotha Veedhi Mandal of Alluri Sitarama Raju district.
Korra Damini, a pregnant woman from the village, developed labour pain during the night. However, the absence of road connectivity prevented her from being taken to a hospital immediately.
The following day, villagers carried her on a traditional makeshift stretcher for nearly eight kilometres through hills, rocky paths and streams. She was eventually shifted to Chintapalli Hospital in an ambulance.
Lack of Bridges Also Threatens Tribal Lives
Apart from roads, the absence of permanent bridges has also become a major challenge for tribal communities.
In a tragic incident reported from Chinna Gangavaram village in Gudem Kotha Veedhi Mandal, 28-year-old Pangi Lavanya died after reportedly failing to receive timely medical attention following childbirth.
Local residents said a temporary bridge near Gangavaram had been washed away due to heavy rains, disrupting transportation. They also pointed out that more than 15 tribal villages were facing difficulties due to the absence of a permanent bridge.
The incident highlighted the serious consequences of inadequate infrastructure in remote tribal regions.
Gap Between Government Promises and Ground Reality
The coalition government has repeatedly stated that it is giving priority to road development and infrastructure in tribal areas. However, incidents like these raise questions about the implementation of those promises.
Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has also made assurances regarding road connectivity in tribal villages. Yet, residents continue to struggle with unfinished projects, inaccessible roads and inadequate healthcare facilities.
For people living in remote tribal settlements, even a basic medical emergency can turn into a life-threatening challenge.
Tribal Residents Demand Immediate Government Action
Tribal residents are demanding that the government complete pending road projects and provide permanent connectivity to remote villages.
They are also seeking permanent bridges across streams, accessible ambulance services, nearby healthcare facilities and better emergency medical arrangements.
The repeated incidents of mothers carrying sick children, pregnant women being transported on stretchers and patients walking several kilometres for treatment expose the urgent need for infrastructure development in Andhra Pradesh’s tribal regions.
Development should not remain limited to government announcements and promises. Every tribal village must have all-weather road connectivity and access to timely medical care. Ensuring these basic facilities is essential to protecting the lives and dignity of tribal communities.
