Malkangiri, Aug. 3 (UDN): Poor road connectivity once again exposed the challenges faced by residents of remote areas in Odisha after a family in Malkangiri district was forced to carry an ailing man on their shoulders for nearly a kilometre to reach an ambulance.

The incident occurred in Kenalguda village, where Adama Kabasi reportedly developed severe stomach pain and required immediate medical attention. His family promptly contacted the 108 ambulance service, but the vehicle was unable to reach the village because the approach road had turned slushy and impassable following recent rains.

With no other option available, relatives lifted Kabasi onto their shoulders and carried him through the muddy stretch to the nearest point accessible by the ambulance. From there, he was shifted to a hospital for treatment. His condition was not immediately known.

The incident has once again highlighted the lack of all-weather road infrastructure in several remote pockets of Malkangiri. Residents said they continue to face serious hardships during the monsoon, with damaged roads often cutting off access to healthcare, education and other essential services.

Villagers alleged that transportation becomes a major challenge every rainy season, leaving patients, pregnant women and schoolchildren among the worst affected. They urged the district administration to construct a motorable road to the village to ensure uninterrupted access to emergency services.

The episode has renewed concerns over rural connectivity in the region, with locals calling for long-term infrastructure improvements to prevent similar incidents in the future.