Eight pregnant women from Madhya Pradesh have taken to social media to demand paved roads to hospitals from their village—Khaddi Khurd—which currently lacks proper road connectivity. The absence of motorable roads often creates serious challenges for women in the final stages of pregnancy, forcing them to be carried through muddy, uneven terrain to reach nearby health centres.

Protesting in a unique way, the women not only caught the internet’s but also the authorities’ attention, with the Sidhi collector and MP promising action.

Leelu Shah, who has more than one lakh followers across platforms, had uploaded a video in 2023 tagging Prime Minister Modi and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, saying, “You made all 29 MPs win from Madhya Pradesh. Can we now get a road?"

While Leela was promised a road, what has changed is only her due date. However, BJP MP Rajesh Mishra, while reacting to the viral video, said that he will get them picked up a week before delivery and provide facilities.

“Every delivery has a date. We will get them picked up (Har delivery ki expected date hoti hai. Uske ek hafte pehle hi uthwa lenge)," said BJP MP Rajesh Mishra.

“If she wishes, she should come to us. We’ll provide all facilities – food, water, care. Talking about these things publicly isn’t ideal," he added.

The MP further stated that the construction has been delayed due to Forest Department objections, also mentioning that “if needed, we have helicopters and aeroplanes."

“Has such an incident (of delivery issue due to road) ever happened till date? If needed, we have helicopters and aeroplanes. We have ASHA workers. We have ambulances. What’s the worry?"

Source: News18