Tribals intensify protest for road connectivity in Anakapalli
Tribals from remote areas of V. Madugula, Ravikamatham and Rolugunta mandals in Anakapalli district staged a protest near the Gandhi statue at the GVMC headquarters here on Saturday, demanding immediate road connectivity to their villages.
A large number of villagers from Pasuvulabanda, Jeelugulova, Sompurambanda and Neellubanda in Rolugunta mandal participated in the demonstration. Raising slogans, they urged the authorities to take urgent steps to end their long-standing isolation caused by the absence of motorable roads.
The protesters said the lack of road access has been a persistent issue for years, severely affecting their day-to-day lives. They pointed out that access to healthcare remains a major challenge, with pregnant women, elderly persons and the sick bearing the brunt. In several instances, patients have to be carried in makeshift ‘dolis’ for kilometres to reach the nearest motorable point, often resulting in delays during emergencies.
Villagers also highlighted that children face difficulties in attending school regularly, particularly during the rainy season, when footpaths become slippery and unsafe. The transportation of essential commodities, including food supplies and agricultural produce, has also been affected, impacting livelihoods.
Extending support to the agitation, CPI(M) leader K. Govinda Rao criticised the delay in executing the long-pending road project. He said Panchayat Raj Engineering officials had prepared a proposal for the construction of a 3-km road from Kaniman Junction via Jeelugulova to Pasuvulabanda village, at an estimated cost of ₹2.11 crore.
“Despite the proposal being submitted nearly a year ago, it is yet to receive financial sanction. This reflects the continued neglect of tribal areas,” he alleged.
He demanded that the government accord immediate approval to the project and prioritise infrastructure development in remote tribal regions. Protesters warned that they would intensify their agitation if concrete steps are not taken soon.
Tribal leader S. Kamesh and several local representatives were present.