Zero Connectivity Hampers Maternal Health in Odisha's Baghalat Village
Lack of a motorable road in Baghalat village forces pregnant women and students to trek miles during monsoon, endangering health and education.
In Baghalat village of Jamankira block, Sambalpur district, a pregnant woman was carried three kilometres on a stretcher to an ambulance after heavy rains turned the village access road impassable on August 9, 2026. The 3‑km stretch from Kanibandli to Baghalat remains unpaved, turning muddy during monsoon and cutting off the tribal community of about 189 residents. Villagers say the lack of a motorable road endangers maternal health, disrupts children’s education and forces college students to miss classes, while officials investigate whether the road lies on forest or revenue land to determine repair options.
How does the lack of a road affect maternal health?
On August 9, Sukumani Munda, wife of Ismail Dang, began experiencing labour pains around 9 pm. Her family called the village Asha worker, who arranged for a Janani Express (102) ambulance. However, the ambulance could not enter Baghalat because the road had turned muddy, and it was parked three kilometres away in Kanibandli. Sukumani was carried on a stretcher for three km to an ambulance at around 11 am.
What impact does the road condition have on education?
According to Anganwadi worker Jayanti Bud, Baghalat has 40 families and a population of 189. The village possesses only one Anganwadi centre, and she noted, “Children have to walk to Kanibandali village for school education.” She added that many children reside in hostels elsewhere, saying, “We are forced to keep our children in hostels near the village. The children from the village are staying in hostels at Badrama, Badibahal, Gudurapara, etc.”
College student Munuki of Mura College described the monsoon obstacle, stating, “Our village road gets muddy during monsoon. When it rains, I have no option but to skip classes. I cycle to my college, which is 6 km away, everyday. On rainy days, the roads get knee‑deep in water.”
What are officials doing to address the issue?
Kuchinda Sub‑District Magistrate Saravanan Singh said officials must first determine whether the road lies on forest or revenue land. “We have to ascertain whether the road in the village is on forest land or any other. We will check through the tehsildar what type of land the road is on. If it is on forest land, then we will repair it under the VB-G RAM-G scheme. For a paved road, the land of the road must be revenue land and we will need to ascertain it before taking any step.”
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Where is Baghalat village located?
Baghalat village is in Jamankira block of Sambalpur district, Odisha, about 30 km from Sambalpur town.
What is the main infrastructure problem affecting Baghalat village?
The 3‑km stretch of road from Kanibandli to Baghalat remains unpaved and turns muddy during monsoon, cutting off vehicle access.
How does the lack of a road affect pregnant women in Baghalat?
Pregnant women have to be carried on stretchers to ambulances parked kilometres away, as seen when Sukumani Munda was transported on August 9, 2026.
What impact does the road condition have on education in Baghalat?
Children must walk to Kanibandali village for school and many stay in hostels elsewhere; college student Munuki says she skips classes when the road becomes knee‑deep in water.
What steps are local officials considering to improve the road?
Kuchinda Sub‑District Magistrate Saravanan Singh said they will verify whether the road lies on forest or revenue land; if forest land, repairs could be done under the VB‑G RAM‑G scheme, otherwise a paved road would require revenue land status.
What is the population of Baghalat village according to the Anganwadi worker?
The village has 40 families and a total population of 189.
Which government scheme might be used to repair the road if it is on forest land?
The VB‑G RAM‑G scheme.
Who is the state Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Minister whose constituency includes Baghalat?
Ravi Nayak.
What is the name of the ambulance service mentioned in the report?
Janani Express (102 ambulance).
When did the incident involving Sukumani Munda occur?
Sukumani Munda was carried to the ambulance on August 9, 2026.
Debraj Meher
District Correspondent, Sambalpur
Debraj Meher reports on Sambalpur district's civic affairs, the Hirakud dam command area, and the region's handloom economy. He has been the Mirror's Sambalpur correspondent since 2021.
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