Union Minister Promises Permanent Road to Marampalli

Kakinada:Union minister of state for Steel and Heavy Industries Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma on Thursday promised to strive for building a permanent alternative road to Marampalli in Tadepalligudem mandal in West Godavari district.

Incidentally, the current access to Marampalli village has faced closure due to the construction of RoB 379, a project sanctioned under the PM Gati Shakti scheme.

Following this, Tadepalligudem MLA Bolisetti Srinivas has appealed to the union minister for an alternative road to Marampalli. Revenue officials say nearly 1.20 acres of land will be required for construction of the alternative road to Marampalli.

Expert says ISAC technology crucial for smart defence platforms

Kakinada: Senior fellow of the US-based DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory (ARL) Kumar Vijay Mishra said that integrated sensing and communications (ISAC) technology is poised to become crucial for smart defence platforms and intelligent transportation systems.

Addressing a Cyber Security and Integrated Sensing and Communications lecture organised at the APNIT in Tadepalligudem on Thursday, Vijay Mishra said cyber resilience and cyber security are important in both military and civilian communication infrastructures.

In this regard, the DEVCOM ARL senior fellow said ISAC technology is poised to play a pivotal role in the future wireless networks, autonomous systems, smart defence platforms, and intelligent transportation systems.

Vijay Mishra said recent research advancements in radar communication, distributed sensing systems, AI-driven wireless systems, and secure spectrum sharing mechanisms have led development of cutting-edge intelligent reflecting surfaces, terahertz communications, and integrated radar communication architectures.

Those present at the lecture include APNIT dean (Planning and Development) V. Sandeep and associate dean Puli Kishore Kumar, among others.

Women farmers approach NHRC OVER police excesses

Vijayawada:A group of women farmers and agricultural labourers from Mamillapalli village in Guntur district, led by YSRC MPs, has approached the National Human Rights Commission and the National Commission for Scheduled Castes alleging police harassment and false cases against them for demanding a remunerative price for their maize crop.

The farmers said that although the government had announced a minimum support price of Rs 2,400 per quintal for maize, they were compelled to sell their produce at around Rs 1,650 per quintal.

In their complaint, the women alleged that police used excessive force during protests, including dragging women with ropes tied around their necks, and sought action against the officials responsible for the alleged misconduct.

Fisheries secretary reviews shrimp Broodstock facilities in Vizag

Visakhapatnam:Dr Abhilaksh Likhi, Union secretary for department of fisheries, visited the MPEDA-RCCA Brood Multiplication Centre for Penaeus monodon and the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute Marine Fish Broodstock and Hatchery in Visakhapatnam on Thursday.

He reviewed efforts to develop quality broodstock and produce high-quality seed for aquaculture. Interacting with scientists, experts, farmers and staff, Dr Likhi discussed challenges including weak market linkages, high input and electricity costs, and the need for training. He directed fisheries officials to work with the National Fisheries Development Board and the state government to conduct capacity-building programmes.

Officials said the Brood Multiplication Centre will boost India’s shrimp aquaculture sector by producing Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) black tiger shrimp broodstock, reducing dependence on imports and improving productivity, biosecurity and sustainability.

SCoR GM inspects station upgrades on Vizag-Ichchapuram route

Visakhapatnam:General manager of South Coast Railway (SCoR) Sandeep Mathur inspected the Visakhapatnam-Ichchapuram section on Thursday, reviewing infrastructure projects, passenger amenities, safety measures, and operational efficiency.

Starting at Simhachalam railway station, he assessed progress under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme and later inspected stations at Kothavalasa, Srikakulam Road, Naupada, Palasa and Ichchapuram. He reviewed redevelopment works, including circulating areas, foot over bridges, waiting halls and other passenger facilities, and directed officials to ensure quality standards and timely completion of projects.

10 held for attempt-to-murder over family feud in Nellore

Nellore:Nellore district police arrested 10 youths for allegedly attacking a 24-year-old man with beer bottles in an alleged attempt-to-murder over a long-standing family dispute in Mudivarthipalem village of Indukurpet mandal.

Police said the accused, led by Masuri Bunny and Masuri Chakri, attacked Sheikh Nagoor Babu on the banks of the Penna River on the night of June 2, causing serious injuries. His brother, Shafi, was also injured while trying to intervene.

Investigators said the assault was linked to an old feud arising out of the death of a woman who had married Nagoor Babu against her family’s wishes and later died by suicide. The victim and his family had earlier been arrested in that case and later released on bail.

Acting on technical evidence and intelligence inputs, police arrested all 10 accused near the TIDCO housing complex at Kothuru Ambapuram on Thursday. Three motorcycles and 10 mobile phones were seized.

SP Dr Ajitha Vejandla warned of strict action against those resorting to violence to settle personal disputes.

4 children drown in pond near Ongole

Nellore:Tragedy struck Cherukommupalem village in Ongole mandal of Prakasam district on Thursday when four children, including two brothers, drowned in a pond while attempting to swim.

Police said the children had gone out in the morning to collect palm fruits. Unable to bear the intense summer heat, they entered a nearby pond but reportedly slipped into deeper waters and drowned.

The incident came to light when the children failed to return home. While searching, family members later found their clothes and footwear on the pond embankment and alerted the police. Ongole Urban DSP Rayapati Srinivasa Rao rushed to the spot and with the help of rescue teams, including fire service personnel and expert swimmers, recovered the bodies after a two-hour search.

The victims were identified as brothers Kareti Abhiram, 14, and Kareti Sushanth, 12, sons of Kalyan Chakravarthi, and their relatives Podili Chinnu, 11, son of late Ravi, and Illa Dinesh, 10, son of Mallaiah.

The deaths plunged the village into mourning, with heart-rending scenes witnessed at the site. The bodies were shifted to Ongole RIMS Hospital for post-mortem.

Social welfare minister Dola Sri Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy reviewed the incident and directed officials to expedite relief measures.

Anam for conduct of Pushkaralu on Maha Kumbh scale

Vijayawada:Endowments minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy directed officials to make elaborate arrangements for the forthcoming Godavari Pushkaralu on the lines of the Maha Kumbh Mela.

At a review meeting on Thursday, the minister asked officials to prepare a comprehensive blueprint for presentation to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and begin development works immediately to ensure timely completion.

He called for an action plan covering Pushkar ghats, repairs, expansion, cleanliness, power supply, drinking water, sanitation, accommodation and transport facilities across six districts. He also announced plans to inspect the ghats along with district collectors, officials and public representatives.

The minister stressed coordination among departments, including police, municipal administration, revenue, panchayat raj, health, roads and buildings, energy and tourism, to ensure smooth conduct of the festival and convenience for devotees.

Bharath asks endowments minister to support Gayatri Goshala in Kurnool

Kurnool:Industries minister T.G. Bharath has appealed to endowments minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy to extend support for the development of Gayatri Goshala in Kurnool, said to be one of the largest goshalas in the state.

Bharath, along with members of the Gayatri Goshala committee, met Anam Ramanarayana Reddy at the State Secretariat in Amaravati on Thursday. They submitted a representation seeking government’s assistance for the goshala on the outskirts of Kurnool, which currently shelters over 1,200 cows.

The Industries minister underlined that the goshala management has been sustaining operations largely through donations, particularly for fodder requirements. Stressing the need for institutional support, he urged the Endowments Department to facilitate assistance from the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) for the upkeep and expansion of the Gayatri Goshala facility.

Bharath further proposed construction of a Venkateswara Swamy Temple within the goshala premises under the aegis of TTD.

The Industries minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy has responded positively to the requests and assured that necessary steps will be taken to support the initiative of Gayatri Goshala.