A pregnant woman in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district was reportedly forced to travel nearly 8 kilometres in a makeshift stretcher before reaching an ambulance, after the lack of a motorable road prevented emergency medical services from reaching her hamlet. The unborn baby later died, while the woman remains hospitalised in serious condition.

The incident was reported from Chitipatha Jamundong hamlet in Junnardeo block on Thursday. According to family members and local residents, Sonu Malgam’s wife Kustariya developed labour pain in the morning. However, the 108 ambulance could not reach the settlement because of the absence of a proper road.

Woman Carried 8 Km

With the situation becoming urgent, the sarpanch, family members and villagers reportedly arranged a makeshift stretcher using wooden poles and cloth. The pregnant woman was placed on it and carried on foot through the difficult terrain.

The group travelled approximately 8 kilometres before reaching Gop village, where an ambulance could finally be accessed. She was taken by the 108 ambulance to the Damua health centre.

Doctors at the health facility reportedly assessed her condition as serious and referred her to the district hospital for further treatment.

Baby's Death Confirmed

According to the family, the woman had to travel a considerable distance over difficult terrain before receiving medical attention. After examination at the hospital, doctors confirmed that the unborn baby had died.

The woman’s condition was described as serious and she was admitted to the ICU. Her treatment is currently underway.

The incident has once again raised questions about emergency healthcare access in remote parts of the district, particularly for pregnant women who require immediate medical attention.

125 Families in Hamlet

Local residents said around 125 families live in the Chitipatha Jamundong hamlet. They claimed that the settlement still lacks a proper all-weather road and faces difficulties accessing several basic facilities.

Villagers said they have been requesting a road since 2016 and have repeatedly approached elected representatives and government officials with their demand. Despite these efforts, they claimed that a motorable road has not yet been constructed.

The lack of road connectivity has reportedly made transportation particularly difficult during medical emergencies and the monsoon season.

Villagers Raise Health Concerns

Residents alleged that the absence of road connectivity has previously resulted in serious difficulties for people requiring urgent medical care. They claimed that three pregnant women had died earlier after allegedly failing to receive timely medical assistance.

These claims could not be independently verified from the information available.

The latest incident has prompted villagers to again demand construction of a permanent road connecting the hamlet with the main road network. They have also sought arrangements to ensure that ambulances can reach the settlement during emergencies.

Road Connectivity Under Question

The incident highlights the importance of last-mile connectivity in remote rural areas. While emergency ambulance services can provide transportation to hospitals, their effectiveness is limited when vehicles cannot reach the location of the patient.

For pregnant women and other patients requiring urgent treatment, even a delay of several hours can have serious consequences.

The local administration’s response to the villagers’ allegations and the status of any proposed road project will be important in determining what action is taken following the incident.

The Chief Minister inaugurated the flyover at around 11 am before taking a brief walk on the structure and posing for photographs near the foundation stone. During the event, supporters gathered at the venue and raised slogans of “Jai Shri Ram” as the Chief Minister interacted with local leaders and officials.

The six-lane flyover has been constructed at a cost of ₹429.49 crore and is regarded as one of Gorakhpur’s biggest transport infrastructure projects in recent years. According to officials, the elevated corridor is designed to reduce traffic bottlenecks on one of the city’s busiest entry routes and provide smoother movement for commuters travelling towards Lucknow, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Azamgarh, Kushinagar, Deoria, Maharajganj, Bihar and Nepal.

Alongside the flyover inauguration, Chief Minister Adityanath also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for development projects worth nearly ₹995 crore across Gorakhpur. The programme included the inauguration of completed infrastructure works and the launch of several new civic projects aimed at improving urban facilities.

Among the key projects announced is the construction of a Working Women’s Hostel at an estimated cost of ₹47.38 crore. The government also approved an underpass and service road from Nandnagar Police Post to Shamsher Gate to eliminate delays caused by the railway level crossing. This project is estimated to cost ₹73.64 crore.

Another major initiative is the Science Museum proposed near University Chowk under the State Smart City Scheme, with a sanctioned cost of ₹49.60 crore. The government also announced the establishment of a Centre of Excellence at the Government Women’s Polytechnic in collaboration with Tata Technologies Limited, costing ₹7.07 crore.

In addition, the depot workshop at Raptinagar will undergo tyre shop upgradation at a cost of ₹2.47 crore, while several neighbourhood-level civic projects involving CC roads and drainage works have also been sanctioned across different municipal wards.

These include:

• CC Road construction in Ward No. 18 (Pawan Vihar) – ₹49.72 lakh
• CC Road in Ward No. 25 (Girdharganj) – ₹23.46 lakh
• CC Road and drainage work in Ward No. 20 (Lachhipur) – ₹49 lakh
• CC Road and drainage in Nandnagar Dargahiya – ₹8.09 lakh
• CC Road and drainage in Ward No. 70 (Chandrashekhar Azad Canal area) – ₹29.56 lakh

Officials said these projects are intended to strengthen urban infrastructure while improving road connectivity, drainage facilities and public amenities in various parts of Gorakhpur.

The newly inaugurated flyover is expected to play a key role in reducing travel time on the Nausad–TP Nagar–Padleganj corridor, which serves as a major gateway into the city for traffic arriving from eastern Uttar Pradesh and neighbouring states. The project was launched in 2023 and completed in 2026 following multiple reviews by the state government.

With the launch of the flyover and multiple civic projects, the state government aims to further strengthen Gorakhpur’s transport network and support the city’s ongoing urban development initiatives.

A tribal woman from a remote village in Madhya Pradesh's Rewa district died before reaching a hospital after her family was forced to carry her on a cot for nearly two kilometres through muddy terrain due to the absence of a motorable road.

The incident, which occurred on Sunday evening in Nadna (Dihiya) village under the Mangawan Assembly constituency, has sparked fresh concerns over rural infrastructure and emergency healthcare access. A video of villagers carrying the woman on a cot through a muddy path has also surfaced on social media.

The deceased has been identified as Ramkali Rawat, wife of the late Ram Swayamvar Rawat, a resident of Nadna village.

According to local residents, Ramkali was struck by lightning and required immediate medical attention. However, with no proper road connecting the village, family members and villagers had no option but to carry her on a traditional cot across a rough, mud-filled route to reach the nearest accessible point for transportation.

Despite their efforts, the woman died before she could be taken to a hospital.

The incident has once again highlighted the challenges faced by residents of remote villages where poor road connectivity often delays access to emergency medical services.

Following the tragedy, villagers questioned the delay in constructing the village road. According to local residents, ₹5 lakh was reportedly sanctioned from the MLA Local Area Development Fund for road construction in the gram panchayat. However, they claim the project has not been completed. The claim regarding the sanctioned funds has not yet been officially confirmed by the authorities.

Residents said they had repeatedly raised concerns over the lack of basic infrastructure, including road connectivity, but alleged that no effective action was taken.

After the woman's death, villagers demanded a thorough inquiry into the matter and sought accountability from officials responsible for the delayed infrastructure development. They also called for immediate construction of the road to prevent similar incidents in the future.

As of Monday, no official statement had been issued by the district administration or local public representatives regarding the incident.

The tragedy underscores the continuing infrastructure gaps in several rural and tribal regions, where inadequate road connectivity can have life-threatening consequences during medical emergencies.

The long-awaited groundbreaking ceremony for the Indore-Ujjain Greenfield Corridor will take place on June 20 at Chandrawatiganj in Indore district. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav and Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar are scheduled to attend the event, marking the formal launch of one of the state's most significant infrastructure projects.

The corridor is being developed with a special focus on Simhastha 2028, one of the country's largest religious gatherings. Once completed, the project is expected to provide faster and more efficient travel for millions of pilgrims, tourists, and daily commuters traveling between Indore and Ujjain.

Ahead of the ceremony, Water Resources Minister Tulsiram Silawat and Indore Collector Shivam Verma reviewed preparations at the event venue, Sagar Garden in Chandrawatiganj. Officials inspected arrangements related to security, traffic management, parking facilities, electricity supply, drinking water, seating, and stage construction.

Authorities have directed all concerned departments to complete preparations on schedule and ensure smooth coordination for the successful conduct of the program.

Key Features of the Project

The Indore-Ujjain Greenfield Corridor will be a 48.10-kilometre access-controlled four-lane highway with provisions for future expansion. The route will begin near the Pitra Parvat area of Indore and extend up to the Simhastha Bypass region in Ujjain.

The project is being implemented by the Madhya Pradesh Road Development Corporation (MPRDC) under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM). The estimated construction contract value stands at approximately ₹1,089 crore.

Officials believe the corridor will emerge as one of the most important transportation links in the Malwa region, connecting major religious, industrial, and urban centers.

Travel Time to Reduce Significantly

One of the biggest benefits of the project will be a substantial reduction in travel time between Indore and Ujjain. The journey, which currently takes considerably longer during peak traffic hours, is expected to be completed in just 30 to 35 minutes once the corridor becomes operational.

The new route is also expected to ease congestion on the existing highway and provide a dedicated high-speed connection between the two cities.

Improved connectivity between Indore Airport and Ujjain will further benefit tourists and pilgrims visiting the Mahakaleshwar Temple and other religious destinations in the region.

Boost for Tourism and Economy

Officials view the corridor as more than just a road infrastructure project. It is being planned as a strategic religious, tourism, and economic corridor that will support regional development.

The project is expected to strengthen connectivity between Mahakal Lok, Ujjain, Omkareshwar, Indore Airport, and key industrial hubs across the Malwa region. Improved transportation infrastructure is likely to encourage investment, boost trade activities, and generate new economic opportunities.

Tourism stakeholders also anticipate a rise in visitor numbers due to easier access to major pilgrimage centers.

Target Completion Before Simhastha 2028

The construction agency has been given approximately 24 months to complete the project. The state government aims to ensure that the corridor is fully operational before the commencement of Simhastha 2028.

With preparations now entering the execution phase, the project is expected to play a crucial role in managing future pilgrimage traffic while supporting long-term urban and economic growth across central Madhya Pradesh.

The Indore-Ujjain Greenfield Corridor is widely regarded as a transformative infrastructure initiative that could redefine connectivity and development in the region over the coming years.

The Chhattisgarh government has finalized a comprehensive roadmap under Phase 4 of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) aimed at extending all-weather road connectivity to every remaining unconnected habitation in the state. The initiative is expected to strengthen rural infrastructure and improve access to essential services in remote regions.

The decision was reviewed during a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Amitabh Jain at the state secretariat in Raipur. Officials discussed the progress of ongoing rural road projects and outlined strategies for expanding the road network under the next phase of the centrally sponsored scheme.

According to officials, a detailed mapping exercise will be carried out to identify villages and habitations that still lack paved road connectivity. These locations will then be linked to the main road network under PMGSY Phase 4.

Focus on Planning and Quality

During the review meeting, the Chief Secretary instructed departments to complete detailed surveys, land acquisition procedures, and forest clearances before beginning construction work. Officials were told to ensure that projects do not face delays due to pending approvals after work has commenced.

Authorities also emphasized maintaining construction quality standards while accelerating implementation timelines. The government aims to ensure that newly built roads remain durable and capable of supporting long-term rural development.

Senior officials from the Panchayat and Rural Development Department, Home Department, Housing Department, Public Health Engineering Department, and Chhattisgarh Rural Road Development Agency attended the meeting.

Significant Progress Under PMGSY

Government data presented during the meeting showed substantial progress under various phases of the rural road scheme. So far, 8,358 roads and 447 bridges and culverts have been completed across the state under PMGSY.

In Bastar's Left Wing Extremism-affected regions, 52 previously pending road projects have been completed with the support of security forces. Additionally, 31 major bridges sanctioned under Phase 3 of the scheme have already been constructed.

Officials stated that these projects have significantly improved connectivity in remote and previously inaccessible areas, helping residents access education, healthcare, and markets more efficiently.

Roads for Tribal Communities

The review also highlighted progress under the PM JANMAN initiative. Against a target of 1,372 kilometers of road construction assigned by the central government, Chhattisgarh has already completed approximately 1,517 kilometers.

For Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) settlements, 807 roads were approved to connect 872 habitations. Of these, 366 roads have been completed, while work on 429 roads is currently underway.

Officials said improving connectivity in tribal regions remains a key priority, as road infrastructure plays a crucial role in delivering government services and boosting economic opportunities.

Yoga Day Preparations Also Reviewed

Apart from infrastructure projects, the state government also reviewed preparations for the upcoming International Day of Yoga on June 21. This year's theme is "Yoga for Healthy Ageing."

The Chief Secretary directed district administrations to ensure large-scale public participation in yoga programs at the gram panchayat, block, and district levels. The main state-level event is proposed to be held in Surguja district.

Authorities have also been instructed to coordinate with departments to ensure smooth arrangements for students appearing in the NEET re-examination scheduled around the same period.