Nongpoh, July 2: The absence of a motorable road to the remote village of Nongkynrih in West Ri-Bhoi once again came into sharp focus after villagers were forced to carry a seriously ill man on a makeshift stretcher across difficult terrain to seek medical treatment.

A video recorded by local residents and shared with Shillong Today‘s Ri-Bhoi West correspondent captured six to seven villagers carrying the patient by hand through rugged paths, highlighting the hardships faced by the community whenever a medical emergency arises.

Nongkynrih, situated under the Patharkhmah Civil Sub-Division in the Jirang Constituency, remains one of the oldest villages in West Ri-Bhoi. Despite having around 64 households, the village has no motorable road linking it to the nearest healthcare facility.

Although the nearest road-connected village is only about six kilometres away, residents continue to trek long distances on foot to access essential services. During emergencies, patients have to be carried manually over uneven terrain, delaying access to medical care and increasing the risks to their health.

The incident has once again highlighted the longstanding infrastructure challenges faced by people living in remote parts of the district. Residents say the lack of road connectivity has left the village isolated for years, affecting not only healthcare access but also education, transportation, and overall development.

The latest incident has renewed calls for the authorities to expedite the construction of a motorable road to Nongkynrih, with villagers stressing that improved connectivity is essential to ensure timely medical assistance and better access to basic services.