Braving waist-deep snow and blocked roads in Jammu and Kashmir’s Shopian district, a government gynaecologist rode an excavator for nearly 55 kilometres to reach hospital and perform urgent surgeries, drawing praise from officials and residents alike.
Amid one of the harshest winter spells in Jammu and Kashmir this season, a doctor’s determination has captured national attention. Dr Basharat Pandit, a gynaecologist posted at the District Hospital in Shopian, kashmir, undertook an extraordinary journey after heavy snowfall cut off large parts of south Kashmir from essential services.
With roads buried under three to four feet of snow and vehicles immobilised, Dr Pandit climbed atop an excavator-commonly referred to as a JCB-to ensure patients in need of urgent medical care were not left waiting.
The incident, first reported by local news portals, occurred after relentless snowfall disrupted road connectivity across the region, forcing the closure of key routes and leaving remote areas virtually inaccessible.
Videos of the doctor standing on the excavator as it crawled through snow-laden roads quickly went viral, triggering widespread admiration and sparking conversations about healthcare access in extreme terrains.
A 55-Kilometre Journey Against the Odds
According to multiple reports, Dr Pandit began his journey early in the morning, around 7.30 am, from his home, determined to reach Shopian District Hospital. Initially travelling by car, he was forced to abandon the vehicle when it got stuck in thick snow.
He then walked for nearly three kilometres in freezing conditions before spotting an excavator engaged in snow-clearing operations.
With no other option available and patients awaiting treatment, Dr Pandit climbed onto the heavy machine and continued the journey, covering an estimated 55 kilometres under perilous conditions.
“It was a sense of responsibility and duty,” he told reporters, adding that several pregnant women and patients requiring immediate surgical intervention were waiting at the hospital.
Once he arrived, the hospital reportedly carried out around 10 surgeries that day, including critical procedures that could not be postponed. For local residents, the doctor’s arrival was not just a relief but a reassurance that healthcare would reach them even when nature seemed unrelenting.
Officials Laud Commitment, Stress Preparedness
Local health officials and district authorities praised Dr Pandit’s commitment, describing it as an example of the dedication shown by healthcare workers in Jammu and Kashmir during extreme weather events.
A senior health department official noted that doctors and paramedical staff often put themselves at risk during winters to ensure continuity of care, especially in districts prone to heavy snowfall.
Authorities also pointed out that snow-clearing operations were underway across the region, with priority given to routes leading to hospitals and essential service centres. However, they acknowledged that persistent snowfall and challenging terrain continue to pose serious logistical hurdles, particularly in rural and mountainous areas.
The district administration reiterated its appeal to residents to avoid unnecessary travel during severe weather and assured that emergency services, including four-wheel-drive ambulances, were being deployed wherever possible.
Winter in Kashmir: A Recurring Healthcare Challenge
While Dr Pandit’s story stands out for its dramatic visuals, it reflects a recurring reality for thousands living in snowbound parts of Jammu and Kashmir. Every winter, heavy snowfall disrupts transport, electricity, and mobile connectivity, often leaving villages isolated for days.
Hospitals struggle with staff shortages as doctors and nurses find it difficult to commute, while patients face delays in accessing life-saving care.
In the past, similar incidents have seen healthcare workers using tractors, sledges, or even walking long distances to reach facilities.
Despite incremental improvements-such as the deployment of specialised 4×4 ambulances and better snow-clearing equipment-experts argue that infrastructure development has not kept pace with the region’s climatic challenges.
The closure of major routes like the Srinagar–Jammu National Highway during snowfall further compounds the problem, affecting supply chains for medicines, oxygen, and essential commodities.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Dr Basharat Pandit’s journey is a moving reminder of the compassion and resilience that underpin public service in India. His actions exemplify empathy, courage, and an unwavering commitment to human life-values that deserve recognition and respect.
Yet, as inspiring as this story is, it should not become a template for how healthcare functions in difficult terrains.
A just and humane system cannot rely on extraordinary personal sacrifice to compensate for infrastructural gaps. True progress lies in building resilient healthcare networks that protect both patients and providers, even in the harshest conditions.
