No Road, No Cremation Ground: Valsad Village’s Last-Rites Struggle

VALSAD: In a heartbreaking picture of the gap between development claims and ground reality, a grieving family in Kelavni village of Dharampur taluka was forced to transport a 52-year-old woman’s body on a tractor for her last rites — only for the vehicle to get stuck while crossing a damaged causeway over the Lavri River.

The distressing incident involving Ramilaben, who died on September 9, has triggered fresh questions over basic infrastructure in the tribal village. A video showing the tractor struggling at the damaged causeway has gone viral on social media, bringing the long-standing problems of Kelavni into sharp focus.

Ramilaben, a resident of Khori Faliya and mother of three, was taken to an open area near the Lavri River close to Shiv Faliya for her last rites. The village does not have a proper cremation ground, leaving residents dependent on the open site.

With no proper road connecting the area, villagers placed the body on a tractor. However, the tractor became stuck while crossing the causeway connecting Shiv Faliya and Padvi Faliya, turning an already painful farewell into a distressing ordeal.

The causeway was damaged by erosion last year but is yet to receive proper repairs. The approach road from the main road is also reportedly in poor condition, while there is no proper route beyond the causeway to the cremation site.

The problems are not limited to funerals. Poor connectivity affects the daily movement of villagers and raises concerns over access to essential services in the tribal settlement.

The absence of a dedicated cremation ground has further compounded the issue. Villagers have been performing last rites in an open area because a permanent facility has not been developed.

Kelavni sarpanch Nareshbhai Jayesh Pawar said the shortage of suitable land had become a major hurdle.

“The land identified for a cremation ground is privately owned, and suitable land is not available. The lack of land has also created difficulties in constructing an approach road,” Pawar said.

The incident has now put the spotlight on the administration’s response to basic infrastructure needs in the village. For residents, the question is not merely about a damaged road or causeway, but about being able to bid farewell to their loved ones with dignity.