Andhra Pradesh: Hilltop Tribal Villages In Anakapalle Seek Road, Schools
Repeated allotment of funds fail to help the villagers have access to basic facilities: Reports
VISAKHAPATNAM: In a striking display of desperation, members of the Kondu community, listed as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group and spread over four hilltop villages, staged a five‑km padayatra, marching half‑naked to demand basic facilities including roads, Anganwadi centres and permanent schools.
The protest involved residents of the Pitri Gadda, Neellu Banda, Pedda Karuvu in Rolugunta mandal, and Jajulu Banda in Moolapet panchayat of Koyyuru mandal, straddling the ASR and Anakapalle district borders.
Around 400 tribals living in these remote hamlets have no access to essential services. Villagers recalled that in 2020, each family contributed ₹3,000 to raise ₹6 lakh to erect a mud road from Atla to Pitri Gadda via Jajulu Banda.
That road was washed away by rains. Now, only motorbikes can ply on this damaged road.
In 2024, ₹1 crore was sanctioned under the Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme for the erection of a metal road, but only four culverts were built, after which the work was stalled.
Following repeated protests, the Anakapalle district collector sanctioned ₹4.10 crore in 2025 for a BT road from Arla to Pitri Gadda. Legislator KSN Raju laid the foundation, promising the work’s completion in six months. While 3-km of stone crushing was done, heavy rains again destroyed the formation. A bill of ₹1 crore was issued, but the road remains incomplete.
The lack of connectivity has had tragic consequences. When Korra Subbarao of Pitri Gadda died at Narsipatnam area hospital, the ambulance could not reach the village, forcing residents to carry the body by hand for a long distance. “Despite changes in government, our lives remain unchanged,” the villagers lamented.
Later, ₹60 lakh was sanctioned for a BT road from Pitri Gadda to Jajulu Banda. Six months on, the work has not begun. Residents allege crores are being spent on paperworks, while no progress is visible on the ground.
Daily life remains arduous. Jajulu Banda has 30 ration cards, but villagers must travel 20km for rice, 30km to vote, and 30 km to reach hospitals or Anganwadi centres. Despite submitting petitions to the local MLA during multiple visits to Chodavaram constituency, no solution has emerged.
The padayatra covered five villages, with tribals demanding immediate action. “We are still waiting for the authorities to respond and deliver justice,” said the villagers, stressing that without roads, their survival and dignity remain seriously affected.
