Body carried for 4km on foot due to lack of road in Karwar

KARWAR: The residents of ward No. 31 in Karwar CMC were forced to carry a body of a person by tying it to a large wooden pole and walking for approximately 4km in the rain, due to the absence of a proper road. This incident occurred in the district headquarters of Uttara Kannada district.

Guddehalli, a village situated on a hillock with around 40 houses, is officially a part of Karwar city, but lacks basic civic amenities, including a proper road. Despite being provided with power supply two years ago, the residents still face frequent power outages due to erratic supply. Guddehalli is located amidst a dense forest, about 900ft above sea level. Since independence, the villagers have been yearning for basic facilities, but their pleas have gone unheard. Although a road was constructed about five years ago, it remains incomplete, with a 4km uphill stretch still pending.

Rama Monna Gouda, a 75-year-old farmer residing in Guddehalli, fell ill on Saturday night, and was admitted to Karwar Medical College Hospital. Unfortunately, he succumbed to a heart attack late on Saturday night. Due to the lack of a proper road and the late hour, his family members waited until Sunday morning to transport his body. They carried the body in an ambulance to the foot of the hillock, then wrapped it in a blanket, tied it to a large pole, and climbed the hill, taking turns carrying the pole. This incident has sparked outrage among locals.

Rukmini Gouda, Karwar CMC member representing Guddehalli, has vowed to bring the matter to the attention of the authorities, and make every effort to ensure that the area is connected by a proper road.