Six Lives Lost in Tribal Village as Hill Road Blocks Emergency Medical Care
When one-month-old Marri Kavya fell ill in Jajulabandha, a tribal village in Koyyuru mandal of Alluri Sitarama Raju district, her family struggled to carry her down a steep hill to reach medical help. By the time they arrived, it was too late. She is one of six residents who have died in the past six months, exposing the severe risks faced by the tribal community due to the lack of proper road infrastructure.
Home to around 200 tribal families, Jajulabandha is accessible only by climbing a hill from Arla village in Rolugunta mandal. While 20 kilometres of road exist, the final eight kilometres remain steep and treacherous, making emergency medical transport nearly impossible.
“We had to carry our sick children and elders on our backs. Every minute counts during a medical emergency, but this hill has claimed lives,” said Sita Pangi, a resident.
The villagers had pooled Rs. 6 lakhs to construct a temporary road through Shramadan, and in 2023-24, the Tribal Welfare Department sanctioned Rs. 1.2 crore for proper road construction, including Rs. 29 lakhs for culverts. However, work stalled due to non-payment of bills under the previous YSRCP government.
“The officials promised action years ago, but nothing has been done. We still cannot travel safely even for medical emergencies,” said Rama Rao, a local tribal leader.
Later, Rs. 4.1 crore was sanctioned by the then Anakapalli Collector for a BT road connecting Arla to Pitrigedda, but the project remains incomplete. Heavy rains have washed away the villagers’ self-built road, leaving the path impassable.
Among the victims are Pangi Esther, Pangi Subbarao, Gemmeli Ananda Rao, and four-month-old Marri Enosh Kumar. Ananda Rao, another resident, said, “We mourn every child and elder we have lost. Proper roads would have saved their lives.”
The villagers continue to demand urgent government action. “We cannot lose more lives to neglect. We need a safe, all-weather road—now,” said Sita Pangi.