In a remote village in Assam’s Goalpara district, relatives and villagers were forced to carry a deceased man across a river on a bamboo stretcher after an ambulance could not reach the settlement because there is no bridge connecting the village to the nearest road. Family members waded through knee- to waist-deep water, bearing the body on their shoulders to reach the opposite bank.
Locals said the absence of a bridge blocked vehicular access, leaving the community to improvise. After crossing the river, the ordeal continued: the road on the far side was covered in mud, further obstructing transportation and complicating the journey.
The deceased man’s son, who filmed parts of the episode, expressed profound anguish and frustration. He said his father had long hoped to see a bridge built and had dreamed of traveling across the river-an aspiration that remained unfulfilled. The son added that he “never imagined” he would have to record such a scene on the day of his father’s death but felt compelled to document the moment to draw attention to what he called official neglect.
Residents and observers have reacted strongly to the footage and accounts, pointing to the continuing lack of basic infrastructure in several interior and border areas of the state. Many say the incident underscores broader problems with rural connectivity, where poorly linked villages face heightened risks during medical emergencies and other critical situations.
The episode has renewed calls for strengthened rural infrastructure in Goalpara and similar districts, with supporters urging authorities to prioritize bridges, reliable roads and emergency access so communities are not left to carry out essential, and often distressing, tasks themselves.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/assam/story/assam-villagers-forced-to-carry-deceased-man-across-river-for-funeral-rites-as-lack-of-bridge-hampers-access-1404924-2026-06-08?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2026-06-08 22:04:00
