Unable to reach hospital in time due to damaged highway, traffic jams, man loses mother

In a heart-wrenching incident, a man from Kullu district lost his critically ill mother after he was unable to transport her to a hospital in time due to damaged roads and massive traffic jams on the Kiratpur-Manali National Highway.

Naresh Pandit, a resident of Paldi village falling under the Banjar subdivision of Kullu district, narrated the tragic tale of events, alleging that the delayed medical access led to the untimely death of his mother. According to him, his mother’s condition turned critical on Wednesday night, prompting an immediate need for medical attention. Initially, she was referred to the Regional Hospital in Kullu. However, due to severe traffic congestion on the roads caused by multiple landslides and damaged stretches, he failed to reach the hospital.

With no alternative left, Naresh decided to take his mother to Zonal Hospital, Mandi — the nearest better-equipped medical facility. However, this journey too proved nearly impossible due to extensive damage to the Kiratpur-Manali highway between Mandi and Manali. Several key stretches along the route remained blocked, causing prolonged delays.

Desperate, Naresh contacted Banjar MLA Surender Shourie for assistance. The MLA intervened and directed the SDM of Balichowki to ensure swift action. Eventually, the local police arranged for an escort vehicle to help clear the path and expedite the travel. However, despite all efforts, it was too late. By the time Naresh and his mother reached the Mandi Zonal Hospital, she had passed away.

Devastated, Naresh had to return to his native village with his mother’s body to perform her last rites. Even in grief, the broken and obstructed roads continued to pose challenges, delaying his journey back home.

Naresh accused the local administration of not cooperating with him during the night hours to ensure speedy transportation of his mother to the hospital. However, Balichowki SDM Devi Ram refuted the charges, saying that the administration did its best to help him.

Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan said the administration was on the job day and night to help people and that ensuring the movement of ambulance services was their top priority. He said a police constable was deployed to escort the ambulance to transport his mother to the hospital in Mandi. Unfortunately, she died. The administration provided every possible help to the affected family. The accusations of Naresh Pandit were false, the official said. On his return, the road was blocked at multiple locations due to massive landslides. He should understand that the nature was beyond the control of administration, the DC said.

The tragic incident underscores the worsening humanitarian situation arising from the prolonged disruption of the Kiratpur-Manali highway — a critical lifeline for residents of Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti and surrounding regions. The road, which has been severely affected by landslides and ongoing construction delays, has not only hampered the supply of essential goods but is now severely impacting emergency health services.

In critical medical cases, patients from Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti are often referred to Zonal Hospital or Medical College, Mandi. However, the current state of the highway is making it nearly impossible to reach these facilities in time, raising serious concerns about public safety, health infrastructure access and disaster preparedness in the region.

Residents and local representatives have urged the state government and National Highway Authority of India to expedite repair and clearance work, establish emergency medical transit corridors and ensure uninterrupted connectivity to essential services to prevent further tragedies.