Unfinished Road Leaves Pithoragarh's Berinag Villages Cut Off, Medical Emergencies at Risk
A link road in Pithoragarh's Berinag tehsil, begun five years ago, remains unpaved and abandoned, forcing over 5,000 villagers to carry patients on foot through landslide-damaged terrain to reach medical care.
Current Summary
The Shuklayadi-Kheti-Dhari link road under Berinag tehsil in Pithoragarh district has remained unpaved and abandoned despite excavation and cutting work beginning five years ago, according to local reporting. Villagers surrendered agricultural land for the project in anticipation of a motorable route, but the road was never completed. The corridor, intended to serve a population of more than 5,000 people, is now marked by potholes, monsoon gullies and landslide debris. During the monsoon season, residents say the route becomes especially dangerous, and medical emergencies, including critically ill patients, accident victims and women in labour, are carried on makeshift palanquins or on people's shoulders for miles to reach the nearest clinic. Villagers say lives have been lost because timely medical aid could not be reached in time.
What We Know
- The Shuklayadi-Kheti-Dhari link road in Berinag tehsil, Pithoragarh district, began excavation and cutting work five years ago.
- Villagers surrendered agricultural land for the road's construction.
- The road remains unpaved and has been abandoned, now covered with potholes, monsoon gullies and landslide debris.
- The road was intended to serve a population of more than 5,000 people.
- During monsoon, residents say the route becomes treacherous, and patients are carried on foot via makeshift palanquins to reach the nearest clinic.
- Villagers report that lives have been lost due to delayed access to medical care.
What Is Still Unclear
- Which government agency is responsible for completing the road and why work was halted.
- Whether district or state authorities have committed to a timeline for completing construction.
What Changed
- 19 Oct, 02:41 pmSignal detected: Unfinished Road Leaves Pithoragarh's Berinag Villages Cut Off, Medical Emergencies at Risk
Background
Mass migration from Uttarakhand's mountain villages has been driven partly by the absence of dependable roads and basic services, a pattern reflected in other hill districts facing similar infrastructure gaps.