Tribal Villagers Seek Resumption Of Stalled Road Works In Anakapalli Agency
According to villagers, roads to Old Losingi, New Losingi and Peddagaruvu had been sanctioned under the programme and foundation stones laid.
VISAKHAPATNAM: Residents of four remote hilltop villages in Anakapalli district have demanded resumption of road works abandoned midway under the Adavi Thalli Bata programme.
The villages – Losingi, Old Losingi, New Losingi, and Peddagaruvu – are located in Arla panchayat of Rolugunta mandal and inhabited by Kondus, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG).
Nearly 250 villagers staged a protest, saying they had submitted a petition to Chodavaram MLA Kalidindi Suryana Naga Sanyasi Raju during his “Four Visits in One Month” programme. After receiving the petition, the MLA assured them that he would personally visit the area and take steps to resume the road works as soon as possible. The villagers, however, said no action has been taken so far.
They sought that the MLA and government complete the long-pending road project, apart from providing basic healthcare facilities and resolving land-record issues arising from a re-survey conducted six months ago.
According to villagers, roads to Old Losingi, New Losingi and Peddagaruvu had been sanctioned under the programme and foundation stones laid. Work began but halted later, leaving stretches of dug up and unusable roads. Heavy rains subsequently washed away portions of the incomplete roads, further disrupting transport.
Lack of proper road connectivity has affected access to healthcare, particularly for pregnant women, and patients requiring emergency treatment. Delay in reaching medical facilities has even resulted in deaths.
They also sought an Anganwadi centre, appointment of an ASHA worker, and completion of pending land-record corrections under the re-survey process.
Villagers said they had earlier submitted representations to district authorities, including the collector during a visit to Rolugunta. Although officials reportedly inspected the site and assured them that work would begin soon, no progress has been made.
Villagers Kilo Narasaiah, Pangi Nagesu and Kondatambuli Sattibabu appealed to Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan to intervene and ensure completion of the road project and other essential infrastructure in their villages.
