Rain Turns Duko Village Road Into a Nightmare, Ambulances Struggle to Reach Residents

The condition of the road in Duko village under Duko panchayat of Ghaghra block has worsened with the monsoon, leaving residents struggling to move around and raising concerns over access to emergency medical services.

A stretch of nearly 1.5 km from the entrance of the village has turned into a muddy, waterlogged track filled with potholes. Residents say walking along the route has become difficult, particularly during heavy rain.

The poor condition of the road is causing serious problems during medical emergencies. According to villagers, Mamta vehicles and ambulances often find it difficult to enter the village, creating additional challenges for pregnant women, elderly residents and patients who need to be taken to hospital.

Duko is a predominantly tribal village with around 400 households and a population of nearly 1,300. While the road has remained a longstanding problem, the situation becomes particularly difficult during the rainy season. Schoolchildren and residents travelling for work and other daily activities also face difficulties navigating the muddy stretch.

District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) member Aniruddh Choubey visited the village after being invited by Mukhiya Poonam Bhagat and inspected the road. He said the monsoon often exposes the condition of basic infrastructure in rural areas and acknowledged the difficulties being faced by residents.

He assured the villagers that the road issue would be taken up with the concerned public representatives and district administration for necessary action.

250-ft PCC stretch provides limited relief

As an immediate measure, around 250 feet of PCC road has been constructed using funds from the 15th Finance Commission through the efforts of social worker Ashok Oraon and Mukhiya Poonam Bhagat.

However, a long stretch beyond the newly constructed portion remains in poor condition. Residents said that construction of only a small section has not provided a permanent solution to the problem and demanded that the entire stretch be converted into a proper all-weather road.

Demand for permanent road construction

Aniruddh Choubey assured residents that he would communicate their demand to local MP Sukhdeo Bhagat, Tribal Welfare Minister Chamra Linda and the Gumla Deputy Commissioner and seek intervention for construction of a permanent road.

Residents said the road has become one of the village's most urgent infrastructure needs, as its condition affects access to healthcare, education and everyday transportation.

Social worker Ashok Oraon, Jayjit Ekka, Somra Oraon, Jaalaha Oraon, Subodh Oraon, Pardesiya Devi, Sukhmania Devi, Ashish Oraon, Prakash Oraon and a large number of villagers were present during the visit.