23-Year-Old Woman Dies As Lack Of Road, Bridge Delays Medical Aid In Remote Nandurbar Village

Nandurbar: A 23-year-old woman died while being taken to hospital from a remote village in the Satpuda hills, after the absence of a proper road and bridge reportedly delayed her access to medical care. The incident has once again raised questions over the availability of basic infrastructure in the region.

Rusabai Subhash Valvi, a resident of Baripada (Vehgi) in Akkalkuva taluka, developed severe chest and abdominal pain at around 3.30-4 pm on Friday. Her condition reportedly worsened rapidly, but an ambulance could not reach the village due to the lack of an all-weather road and a bridge over the local Suka River.

With no direct road access, her relatives and villagers made a makeshift stretcher using bamboo and a bedsheet. They placed Rusabai on it and began carrying her towards Pimpalkhunta, where she was to receive medical treatment.

However, considerable time was lost while crossing the river and negotiating the difficult terrain. Rusabai died before reaching the hospital. Villagers said timely medical attention may have given her a better chance of survival.

Rusabai had been at her maternal home in Vehgi-Baripada with her husband for the past two days. She is survived by a seven-month-old child. Her sudden death has left her family and villagers deeply distressed.

The incident has also highlighted the wider difficulties faced by residents of remote Satpuda villages. Several settlements continue to lack proper roads, bridges and even basic crossings over rivers and streams. During the monsoon, many villages become difficult to access, making it especially challenging to transport critically ill patients, pregnant women and others in need of urgent medical assistance.

Residents have expressed frustration over the situation, questioning why basic connectivity remains a challenge despite repeated development announcements and promises. They have called for roads and bridges to be provided in the region to prevent similar incidents in the future.