Tragic Incident on NH-48

The tragic death of Chhaya Purav, a 49-year-old woman from Maharashtra’s Palghar district, has brought attention to the severe traffic congestion on National Highway 48. Ms. Purav was being transported to a Mumbai hospital after sustaining critical injuries when a tree branch fell on her. The incident occurred near her home in Madhukar Nagar, Palghar, resulting in injuries to her ribs, shoulders, and head.

Inadequate Health Infrastructure in Palghar

Palghar lacks a trauma center, which necessitated Ms. Purav’s transfer to Hinduja Hospital in Mumbai. The journey, typically taking around 2.5 hours for the 100-km distance, began at 3 pm with Ms. Purav under anesthesia. Her husband accompanied her in the ambulance.

Traffic Jam Delays Emergency Care

Unfortunately, the ambulance became ensnared in a massive traffic jam on NH-48. By 6 pm, after three hours on the road, they had only covered half the distance. As the anesthesia wore off, Ms. Purav experienced unbearable pain. In a desperate attempt to get medical attention, the ambulance diverted to Orbit Hospital on Mira Road, still 30 km from their intended destination.

A Heartbreaking Outcome

Arriving at Orbit Hospital around 7 pm, it was too late for Ms. Purav. Doctors declared her dead upon examination. Her husband, Kaushik, was informed that she might have survived if they had reached the hospital just 30 minutes earlier. He recounted the harrowing experience of watching his wife suffer for four hours due to traffic delays and poor road conditions.

Calls for Improved Infrastructure

This incident underscores the urgent need for improved health infrastructure in Palghar and better traffic management on NH-48. The road’s condition and chaotic traffic exacerbated an already dire situation, highlighting systemic issues that require immediate attention.