Local leaders, including Gattum Bujjibabu, Nayak Appalaswamy, Killo Ramanna, and villagers from surrounding hamlets, joined the protest: Reports
VISAKHAPATNAM: Tribal villagers from Doodkondi, led by Adivasi Girijana Sangham, protested against the boundary stones placed by the Adani Group and Navayuga Private Ltd. for a proposed hydropower project. Armed with traditional tools and weapons, they marched through the Loteru and Iragai panchayats of the Arakuveli mandal, pledging to block construction on their land.
The companies plan to build an upper dam for the hydropower project in the area. The villagers argue that this violates the 1/70 Act and bypasses the mandatory consent required from the Adivasi through the gram sabha. During the protest, Swamy, secretary of the Adivasi Girijana Sangham PESA committee, and Poddu Baladev, ASR district general secretary of Adivasi Girijana Sangham, condemned GO No. 51, which allows hydropower development in Gujjali, Pedakota, and Chittam Vala in Anantagiri mandal. These three projects aim to generate 3,700 MW of electricity.
Baladev warned that the upper dam would submerge tribal villages, including Kaguvalasa, Thoradamvalasa, Doodkondi, Antiparthi, and others, displacing over 500 families and destroying 1,400 acres of subsidised land, forests, farms, and wildlife habitats. He criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan's associate Adani for exploiting tribal lands for profit.
He also questioned the Chief Minister’s recent remarks in Paderu on World Tribal Day, where he praised the region’s pristine natural forests. “If there is genuine love for tribals, why flood their homes with GO No. 51?” Baladev demanded cancellation of all hydropower permissions in tribal areas.
Local leaders, including Gattum Bujjibabu, Nayak Appalaswamy, Killo Ramanna, and villagers from surrounding hamlets, joined the protest.
