Tribal Women Protest For Restoration Of Bus Services
For the past five years, the cancellation of key routes has left communities in Lanji, Kuneru, and Komarada mandal without reliable transport.
Visakhapatnam:Tribal women from five remote panchayats staged a protest at Kuneru Santha in Manyam on Friday, demanding the reinstatement of long-discontinued bus services and access to the free bus travel scheme for women.
For the past five years, the cancellation of key routes has left communities in Lanji, Kuneru, and Komarada mandal without reliable transport. Earlier, a bus operated between Parvathipuram and Kuneru, halting overnight before continuing to Lanji. Despite repeated appeals, the service remains suspended.
Protesters criticised RTC officials, who attributed the discontinuation to low passenger numbers, poor road conditions, and financial losses. Residents countered that these excuses have deepened their hardships, particularly with night travel, isolating families and hurting farmers and workers economically.
CPM leader Kolli Sambamurthy said the absence of services was depriving tribal women of benefits under the free bus travel scheme, widening disparities.
The protesters demanded the immediate resumption of the Parvathipuram–Kuneru service with a night halt. Several organisations, including the AP Vyavasaya Sangham, Vyavasaya Karmika Sangam and Girijana Sangham, extended support, urging authorities to address the transport crisis and ensure connectivity for marginalised communities.
