On Footboard, Atop Bonnet, On Luggage CarrierUnsafe Travel, But Is There A Choice?

NANDURBAR: As dawn breaks over the verdant hills of Dhadgaon taluka in Maharashtra's Nandurbar district, residents of remote tribal hamlets prepare for what has become a daily gamble with fate.With scarce public transportation options, villagers crowd into decrepit jeeps, some perch precariously atop vehicles with construction materials including steel rods as they navigate the winding mountain roads that connect these isolated communities to areas in the city.The socioeconomic realities of this predominantly tribal region complicate matters. With limited livelihood opportunities locally, residents must travel for work, healthcare, education, and essential services—a necessity that trumps safety concerns.Problem With Multiple RootsNandurbar district collector Mitali Sethi said, "We've identified three primary reasons people undertake these risky journeys— banking services located far from the villages, daily work and social functions, and seasonal migration for employment."The administration has begun addressing these issues. "For banking access, we've coordinated the opening of 11 new banks in remote areas. Five will become operational within two months, while the remaining six will follow in 4-5 months once the infrastructure is ready," she said.The district's transportation woes have also caught the attention of Nandurbar's guardian minister Manikrao Kokate who has instructed the administration to purchase mini-buses using district funds. "These will be operated by the state transport department, particularly for the Toranmal area where buses currently don't operate," the collector added.Way Of Life for Locals"We have to depend on these hourly trips or else we will never reach our workplaces or even home back," said Chhagan Pawra as he climbs onto the top of a jeep.Activist Chetan Salvi added, "They need to increase ST buses so people aren't forced to travel dangerously. While action may be taken on these jeeps, unless services are provided, people will continue using them."Law Steps InLaw enforcement acknowledges the challenges. "Nandurbar district police have been taking legal actions against such dangerous transportation," said superintendent of police Shravan Dath. "However, it needs to be addressed on multiple fronts."He stresses the need for "increased frequency of low-cost transportation facilities"."Issues pertaining to transportation of school and college-going children and patients visiting hospitals were brought up in recent district coordination meetings," he added, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced services.As the administration works on long-term solutions, including plans to address migration-related travel and establish a dedicated helpline later this year, the people of Nandurbar's tribal hamlets continue their precarious journeys—a daily reminder of the distance still to be travelled.