In a heart-wrenching incident highlighting the critical infrastructure deficiencies in remote tribal regions, a 10-day-old infant from Jajulabandha hamlet in Moolapet Panchayat of Alluri Sitarama Raju (ASR) district, Andhra Pradesh, passed away due to delayed medical assistance resulting from the absence of proper road connectivity.

On December 31, 2024, at approximately 8 p.m., the infant daughter of Marri Sundara Rao developed severe breathing difficulties. The family faced immense challenges in seeking immediate medical attention, as their village lacks motorable roads. They planned to carry the mother and child on a makeshift stretcher, locally known as a 'doli,' over seven kilometers of rugged terrain to reach the nearest accessible point. From there, they intended to transport the infant to the Downuru Primary Health Centre, located 30 kilometers away. However, assembling the necessary manpower to navigate the difficult terrain took time, and tragically, the infant succumbed before reaching medical care.

Jajulabandha is home to approximately 160 individuals belonging to a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG). In 2023, the government sanctioned ₹1 crore for constructing a road to the hamlet. While ₹26 lakh was spent on laying three kilometers of road and building three culverts, the project was abandoned midway. The partially constructed gravel road was subsequently washed away during rains, rendering it unusable for both pedestrians and two-wheelers.

Local residents, including Marri Kameswara Rao and Kondathamali Venkata Rao, have repeatedly lodged complaints through the Public Grievance Redressal System (PGRS), but no remedial action has been taken. CPI(M) district secretariat member K. Govinda Rao criticized the authorities for their negligence, stating, "The delayed action from the district authorities left the tribal community to endure repeated hardships." Villagers are now urging the government to expedite the completion of the road to prevent further tragedies and ensure timely access to medical facilities.

This incident is not isolated; similar tragedies have occurred in the region due to inadequate infrastructure, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive development initiatives to safeguard the health and well-being of vulnerable communities.