Adilabad: The Giri Express Scheme, designed to improve connectivity to the interior Adivasi gudems with the mandal headquarters, will soon become operational. It is being introduced by the Integrated Tribal Development Agency, Utnoor, and will benefit tribal hamlets in Tiryani, Adilabad, Sirpur (U), Bela, Kerameri, Jainoor, Kautala and Tamsi mandals in the district.
Some of these halmelts, like Mangi in Tiryani mandal, have Maoists actively moving in them.
Giri Express vehicles will be operated on routes where RTC buses do not ply and the roads are not good. Utnoor ITDA PO R.V Karnan said that they were introducing the service on 20 routes in the interior areas in the first phase.
The ITDA, which has acquired 20 Tata Magic autos at a cost of Rs 75 lakh, is providing them to youth from educated primitive tribal groups, such as the Kolam, Thoti and Mannewar, on zero interest bank loans under the scheme through the local ‘village Samakhyas’ or self-help groups, ensuring that the beneficiary is able to pay a monthly premium of Rs 3,000 towards repayment of the loan. The Agency will also train them in driving and help them get a driving licence.
The scheme, which is being implemented under the Adima Gramala Abhiurddi Pathakam, was aimed also to save the lives of the Adivasis in emergencies and to transport them to the nearest hospitals where ambulances and RTC buses cannot go. “Selected tribal youth were instructed to shift people in need of emergency medical treatment, such as pregnant women, and thereby encourage institutional deliveries,” he said.
