Ranchi, July 14: Due to the lack of a proper road and bridge in Savmarangbeda village in Arki block, villagers had to carry a pregnant woman on their shoulders to cross the Karkari river. This is a reflection of the poor rural infrastructure in Jharkhand.
After carrying the woman who was in labour pains and crossing the river, she was taken to Arki Community Health Centre, where the woman delivered her baby safely.
According to reports, Somwari Devi went into labour after heavy rains, when the Karkari river was in full flow and the main road to the village was completely blocked and ambulances could not reach the area. Realising the situation, her husband Manguchchat Nag and other villagers carried her on their shoulders and crossed the river on foot despite the strong current.
At the Arki Community Health Centre, she delivered her baby safely under the supervision of the doctor on duty. The doctor said that both the mother and the newborn are healthy.
According to the villagers, the absence of a bridge over the Karkari river cuts off the village from the outside world every rainy season. They said that the sick, pregnant women, the elderly and school children are suffering severely.
Usually, lack of timely medical treatment leads to serious conditions. “Pregnant women are taken to the hospital after crossing the river at Khunti,” said a villager.
The villagers alleged that despite repeated requests to the administration and elected representatives to build a bridge over the Karkari river and a paved road to the village, no action has been taken so far. Mukhiya Manse Munda said that repeated appeals have been made to everyone from the local MLA to the district administration, but no solution has been found to the problem.
“Until a bridge is built over the Karkari river and a road is built to the village, the residents will continue to risk their lives like this every rainy season,” the Mukhiya said.