In a poignant illustration of the infrastructural challenges faced by remote tribal communities, a 29-year-old woman from Pitrigedda village in Anakapalle district, Andhra Pradesh, was compelled to give birth at home due to the absence of motorable roads.

On the night of October 17, 2024, Kilo Devi went into labor but could not be transported to a medical facility because of the village's inaccessibility. Following the home delivery, her husband, Kilo Ramesh, and family members carried both mother and newborn on a makeshift stretcher, known locally as a 'doli,' traversing approximately six kilometers of rugged terrain to reach the nearest accessible point. From there, they secured an auto-rickshaw to transport them to the primary health center in Butchampeta.

This incident underscores the persistent lack of basic infrastructure in certain tribal regions, which continues to impede access to essential healthcare services. Despite previous efforts, including a sanctioned fund of ₹1 crore under the National Employment Guarantee Scheme in 2022-23 to construct a gravel road connecting Pitrigedda, the project remains incomplete. Partial construction was undertaken in May 2023, but work was abruptly halted, leaving the road unusable, especially during monsoon seasons when temporary fixes were washed away.

Frustrated by the unfulfilled promises, local residents are planning to stage a protest during the upcoming Zilla Parishad meeting in Visakhapatnam on October 24, advocating for the completion of the road to ensure safe and timely access to medical facilities.

This case is not isolated; similar incidents have been reported in the region, highlighting a systemic issue that demands immediate attention to prevent further risks to maternal and child health in these underserved communities.