Pawan Kalyan Launches Rs 1,050 Crore Development Package for ASR District
The initiative, backed by an investment of Rs 1005 crore, aims to construct 1069km of roads, connecting 615 tribal villages to essential services and opportunities.
Visakhapatnam: Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan launched the Adivi Thalli Bata (Forest Path) programme in Pedapadu village of Alluri Sitharamaraju district on Monday.
The initiative, backed by an investment of Rs 1005 crore, aims to construct 1069km of roads, connecting 615 tribal villages to essential services and opportunities.
PK also laid the foundation stone for a 2.2-km BT road connecting Chaparai to Pedapadu, to be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 2.12 crore.
Villagers welcomed him with traditional Dhimsa dance and songs in Kodi language, saying, "Our God, who solves our problems, has come to our village." Kalyan responded in the same language, thanking the villagers.
The deputy CM went through an exhibition of locally grown organic products, including tamarind, jackfruit, peanuts, cashew nuts, chickpeas and coffee beans. He also visited the Mini Anganwadi Centre operating in a rented house and distributed books and sweets to children, as well as nutritional kits to pregnant women and lactating mothers.
The project includes Rs 555.61 crore for 612.72km under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Man Yojana, Rs 399.66 crore for 471.63kms of work under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, and Rs 49.73 crore for 48.85km of roads under Panchayat Raj.
The deputy chief minister held a public meeting in the Debriguda mandal where he addressed matters of critical local infrastructure needs. After traversing a difficult stream at Chaprai, he promised to construct a bridge there within two months while preserving the natural landscape. He also highlighted a success story from Ananthpur mandal, where a newly built BTS road recently allowed an ambulance to reach the area for the first time, benefiting around 1,260 residents.
PK outlined tourism development plans for the region, mentioning attractions such as Borra Caves, Thatipaka viewpoint, and Galikonda. "If we trust forest and nature, it will give returns in many ways. That's why we named this programme Adivi Thalli, he explained.
The deputy CM also addressed social challenges, urging youth to avoid drugs like ganja and warning them against superstitions that have led to tragic incidents, such as the killing of nine people from the Bastar forest area, over beliefs about them being in the grip of evil spirits.
On the agricultural front, Kalyan revealed plans to expand coffee cultivation across one lakh acres under the Upadi Gaami Scheme, encouraging the planting of mango, neredu and baana trees for shade, instead of silver oak.
He told the gathering, "Though you have not voted for us, we will be there for you. We will do all the work for you; we seek only your blessings."
ASR collector Dinesh Kumar said, “This marked the deputy CM's second visit to the region and he has already resolved numerous local issues. The ASR district contains the largest Integrated Tribal Development Agency population in AP, with approximately 5,020 habitations, of which around 1,520 still lack proper connectivity.”
Tribal welfare minister Gummadi Sandhya Rani stated, "Today is like a festival for us with Rs 1,050 crore sanctioned for the ASR district and listed development works are already under way." She however raised concern over the forest department regulations impacting road construction, and pleaded for the deputy CM's intervention.
